B&Q refuse to confirm suspension of Chesterfield worker who posted offensive tweets comparing trouble at Euros final with Hillsborough disaster
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The employee who lives in Chesterfield and works at the DIY store on Penistone Road in Sheffield, posted a Facebook comment after England lost the match against Italy – in which he likened the scenes of violence among England fans to the Hillsborough tragedy that claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters.
In response to someone’s original post, he blamed Liverpool fans for the crowd trouble.
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Hide AdThe worker wrote said: “Probably the scousers re enacting what they did in 1989. Hope they don’t crush anyone.”
His offensive comments sparked outrage online, with a number of people sharing screenshots of his original post on social media and calling for B&Q to sack the worker who is also claimed to be a manager of the Hillsborough branch.
The worker’s name has been removed from the social media posts quoted below after the Derbyshire Times were alerted to police concerns about his safety.
Lulu Hodge tweeted: “Need to expose scumbags like [this] of Chesterfield. I’ll bet he’s an avid reader of #TheS*n I challenge him to take a trip to Liverpool then stand in Church St and shout this. See what happens then. But keyboard warriors like him wouldn’t dare. #DontBuyTheScum #JFT96”.
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Hide AdWhile Kev McCready added: “@BandQ the manager of your Penistone Road branch is all over social media comparing last night’s crowd trouble to #Hillsborough. Might be an idea to have a word”.
And another Liverpool fan wrote: “So has [the worker] been sorted out by his employers #BandQ”.
Despite reports that the Chesterfield worker has now been suspended for his offensive post, B&Q refused to confirm this.
Instead the national retailer said they are taking the matter ‘very seriously’ and investigating.
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Hide AdA B&Q spokesperson said: “Comments such as those described have no place in society and are not tolerated at B&Q.
"We are taking this matter very seriously and are investigating it in accordance with our HR policies.
"Please be assured that we will take whatever action is appropriate.”
When asked directly if the employee in question had been suspended, a spokesperson for B&Q added: “We have taken necessary action but won't disclose further information.”