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Sainsbury's 'Pikey' Insult PDF Print E-mail
Supermarket Debate
Written by John Eager   
Thursday, 29 March 2012 13:22

Editor's note: This article has been changed.

BBC Hereford and Worcestershire reported ten years ago that the grocers Sainsbury's executive Lisa Collins  described Sainsbury's shoppers at the Hereford branch as 'pikeys'.

BBC: "Councillor Terry James, leader of Herefordshire Council, said Ms Collins' outburst was ignorant and offensive."

The BBC reported that executive Collins made the insult at a conference organised by the Institute of Grocery Distributors on 13 March, 2003. [date corrected]

Editor's note:

At the time of writing the author believed that this was present news. It has since come to the author's attention that this is incorrect. The article was not meant to deliberately mislead any Ledbury Portal readers.

Last Updated on Sunday, 08 April 2012 12:18
 
Comments (7)
'Old News & Unsafe Reporting'? Hypocrite?
7 Wednesday, 04 April 2012 05:43
GJH
In an article preceding this one by six days, the same author, John Eager, entitled 'Old News & Unsafe Reporting', attacked the Ledbury Reporters and its journals for writing an article that was one year out of date:

'The Reporter's 'news' (17th March 2012) was on a vote taken last year by netmums. It's good to know Bills-Geddes and the rest of the hacks there are on the ball and up to date (not) - doing a sterling job reporting last year's news as current.'

I feel one year late is poor journalism, but nine years is diabolical and incredibly hypocritical. Especially as I presume it has been used due to the authors stance on the superstore. 'Old News & Unsafe Reporting' indeed!
Mistake, obviously
6 Tuesday, 03 April 2012 10:56
Andrew Warmington
This story was originally spotted by a local group and posted online. I saw that and posted it on the LOTS FB page. (And I obviously don't have to admit to this, since non-members can't see it). Then John Eager did the same here.

We all simply failed to spot the date, which happened to be the correct day but nine years ago. It's an example of what often happens in these days of rapid response and information overload. I'll wager most of us have done this or something like it at one time or another.
Don't get paranoid about it.
Old news
5 Monday, 02 April 2012 11:52
I am sure the lady concerned was reprimanded at the time for her stupid comment.

It is rather amusing that this is being brought up when LOTS members accused anyone who was in favour of the supermarket of being "empty vessels" "in-bred" etc etc.

It seems to be a common misconception of those who have no idea about Herefordshire and its people!
Mistake or Trick
4 Monday, 02 April 2012 11:20
John Eager
I rather think you are over-reacting here to a simple mistake. Don't you think it a bit odd that I would deliberately insert the wrong year and link to the article for anyone to see and uncover my 'dirty little trick'?

Whether this was said last year or ten years ago it hardly matters - it reveals a state of mind - the arrogance of the corporate mind over the consuming masses. Or as Claire put it - racism.

I'm actually a bit embarrassed by this mistake, as it was easily avoided with a bit of journalistic common sense, and I have done what I accused the Ledbury Reporter of doing recently - publishing old news. Well, it was new to me, and obviously a lot of other people too.
Using every litte dirty trick
3 Monday, 02 April 2012 09:03
The article clearly states the date on it. Is there no depth to which you will stoop?
Wrong Date
2 Sunday, 01 April 2012 11:23
John Eager
Thanks for bringing that to the Portal's attention, Claire. This was a mistake - it had been flagged up on a social media site and I assumed it was recent.

The strange thing about the Internet, unlike yesterday's chip papers, is that news, comments, racism, slander, lies and mistakes made by organisations and individuals stay there - either floating on the surface of the everyday web, or hidden beneath in the dark depths of the web.

But it's all there, warts and all.
2003 or 2012?
1 Saturday, 31 March 2012 21:16
Claire Ellis
Think you need to check the date of this article. You have wrongly stated that it was said this year when it actually happened in 2003. I do not agree with racist slurs, but then incorrect reporting is also wrong!