Thursday, September 19, 2013

Selfridges Faces Backlash After Giving EDL Leader Tommy Robinson Free Steak Lunch

THE INDEPENDENT: Calls to boycott the store have been made again after a sales assistant refused to serve Robinson's friend

Department store Selfridges has courted controversy again after giving leader of the English defence [sic] League Tommy Robinson a free steak to apologise after a member of staff refused to serve them.

The menswear employee was temporarily suspended for violating company policy after refusing to serve Robinson's friend. Robinson, a convicted criminal who leads anti-Islam protests across the country, was in the Oxford Street store with his friend who was looking to purchase a pair of jeans.

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, filmed himself challenging the shop assistant who reportedly refused to help Robinson's friend, saying "f**k off, I am not serving you" after asking if he was with the EDL leader.

Robinson said he assumed the shop assistant was a Muslim as he "had Mo on his name tag".

A spokesman said anyone was welcome to shop in the store “ regardless of political opinion”.

To apologise, Selfridges gave Robinson and his friend a three course meal at the store's in-house Hix Restaurant, Champagne and Caviar Bar, which included a prawn cocktail starter, steak and chips, finished off by chocolate cake and ice cream.

The complimentary meal, which Robinson described as "decent" on Twitter, was worth £83. » | Heather Saul | Thursday, September 19, 2013