William Sitwell, the Editor of Waitrose Food Magazine resigns after ‘killing vegans’ email

William Sitwell, the Editor of Waitrose Food Magazine 'steps down' after 'killing vegans' email.

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The Editor of Waitrose Food Magazine has resigned with ‘immediate effect’ after his ‘ill-judged joke’ about ‘killing vegans’ went viral.

William Sitwell has announced his resignation from his position as editor at Waitrose Food Magazine with ‘immediate effect’ after a private email that he sent to a freelance journalist containing what he calls an ‘ill-judged joke’ went viral.

In his email to Selene Nelson, he joked about ‘killing vegans’ in which he said: “Thanks for this. How about a series on killing vegans, one by one? Ways to trap them.”

He also added: “How to interrogate them properly? Expose their hypocrisy? Force-feed them meat? Make them eat steak and drink red wine?”

In a follow-up email, he added:  “I like the idea of a column called The Honest Vegan; a millennial’s diary of earnest endeavour and bacon sandwiches ...”

The email was subsequently published on Buzzfeed and received widespread criticism.

Today, William has released an apology via social media – he said: "Firstly, to reiterate my apology to any food – and life-loving vegan who was genuinely offended by remarks written by me as an ill-judged joke in a private email and now widely reported.

"Second, a word about my team on Waitrose & Partners Food. For two amazing decades, I’ve worked with simply the best crew in the business. There is no more talented art director than Kerry Wakefield, my lovely deputy Jess, PA Morgan, Dr Lucy heading food, Ashleigh on features, Kat and the fab art and subbing team.

“Thank you – we never stopped laughing (til now!).”

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Morning all. Some news: : John Brown statement, 31.10.18. ‘John Brown Media has today announced that William Sitwell is stepping down as Editor of the Waitrose & Partners Food magazine with immediate effect. Andrew Hirsch, CEO, said: ‘I respect William’s decision and have therefore accepted his resignation. I would like to thank him for his work with ourselves and Waitrose over many years and wish him well for the future. We will work with Waitrose & Partners to appoint a new editor.’ . Waitrose statement, 31.10.18. ‘We have today been informed by John Brown Media, who produce the Waitrose & Partners Food Magazine, that William Sitwell is stepping down as Editor of Waitrose & Partners Food magazine with immediate effect. In the light of William's recent email remarks, we have told John Brown Media that we believe this is the right and proper move - we will be working with them to appoint a new editor for the magazine. We have had a relationship with William for almost 20 years and are grateful for his contribution to our business over that time.’ . Today I just want to make two points. : Firstly, to reiterate my apology to any food- and life-loving vegan who was genuinely offended by remarks written by me as an ill-judged joke in a private email and now widely reported. : Second, a word about my team on Waitrose & Partners Food. For two amazing decades I’ve worked with simply the best crew in the business. There is no more talented art director than Kerry Wakefield, my lovely deputy Jess, PA Morgan, Dr Lucy heading food, Ashleigh on features, Kat and the fab art and subbing team. Thank you - we never stopped laughing (til now!). : This issue from Jan 2017 - with a striking image taken by the gifted Jonathan Gregson - is one I’m particularly proud of. We even refused advertising from those proffering meat-based products.

A post shared by William Sitwell (@williamsitwell) on Oct 31, 2018 at 2:41am PDT

Waitrose have accepted his resignation and a statement from Andrew Hirsch, CEO of John Brown Media, which publishes the magazine on behalf of Waitrose, said: “I respect William’s decision and have therefore accepted his resignation. I would like to thank him for his work with ourselves and Waitrose over many years and wish him well for the future.”

Waitrose (in a statement to I news) commented that: “We have today been informed by John Brown Media, who produce the Waitrose & Partners Food Magazine, that William Sitwell is stepping down as Editor of Waitrose & Partners Food magazine with immediate effect.

In the light of William’s recent email remarks, we have told John Brown Media that we believe this is the right and proper move – we will be working with them to appoint a new editor for the magazine.

We have had a relationship with William for almost 20 years and are grateful for his contribution to our business over that time.”