How critics are reacting to Waitrose magazine editor William Sitwell resigning after 'killing vegans' joke

Jacob Rees-Mogg has defended William Sitwell

(Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Waitrose has come under fire after its magazine editor, William Sitwell, stepped down following comments he made about publishing a “killing vegans” series.

The former MasterChef critic made the comment after a freelance journalist pitched a series on plant-based recipes; he announced his resignation after screenshots of the email he sent went viral, prompting a furore on social media.

Now, journalists and politicians are defending Sitwell, arguing that his remarks were “not a sackable offence” and calling the incident a case of “political correctness gone mad”.

Restaurant critic Giles Coren said he had “great sympathy” for the former editor, writing on Twitter: “It was a stupid email but should not be a career-ender.

“Vegans are not a race or a gender or a sexual orientation or a differently abled group.

“They just choose to eat plants. You should be able to take the p*** and not lose your job”.

The Spectator’s Peter Osborne added: “This is crazy. And a dark day for free expression.

“William Sitwell was a magnificent and generous magazine editor, winner of countless awards. Driven from his job by relentless Twitter trolls”.

Even Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg weighed in on the debate, tweeting: “William is a brilliant writer and an old friend, this is all a great pity”.

Despite the outrage prompted by Sitwell’s remark, Selene Nelson, who sent the original pitch and is herself vegan, explained that she was shocked but not offended by the joke.

Responding to the news that Sitwell had resigned, Nelson explains that his departure “speaks to a wider problem”.

“This isn’t about Sitwell or why he resigned, it’s about why it’s accepted or considered funny to speak to vegans with hostility and anger,” she wrote for The Independent.

"Vegans are often criticised for being dogmatic, militant, too extreme or unnecessarily antagonistic.

"But if this disappointing exchange exposes anything, it’s the belligerent attitude that, sadly, many vegans experience every day, simply for trying to make a positive lifestyle change. Vegans are not 'snowflakes'".