It comes after delivery drivers were attacked in East Belfast
Belfast restauranteur and chef Michael Deane has “apologised unreservedly” for comments he made on social media about “undocumented” delivery drivers.
The chef, who owns and operates a number of restaurants in Belfast, made a post on social media complaining about Deliveroo and Just Eat delivery drivers and how using the services could lead to “undocumented strangers” arriving at your house.
The post was made in the wake of an attack on delivery drivers in the Connswater Retail Park in East Belfast on Monday, September 8. Deliveroo and Just Eat require drivers to have documentation showing their right to work in the UK.
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Following the post, there was widespread condemnation of the restauranteur’s remarks which were branded “disgusting” and he was accused of “scapegoating migrants” and “repeating racist lies”.
West Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll said: “Disgusting post from restauranteur Michael Deane. Punching down on migrant workers & repeating racist lies in the context of far-right vigilantes assaulting delivery workers. Scapegoating migrant workers won’t fill your tables.”
Unite Hospitality NI said: “Unite Hospitality is appalled by the comments made by celebrity chef and hospitality boss Michael Deane, who appears to be repeating racist lies and dog-whistles that echo the rhetoric of the far right. Such remarks add fuel to the atmosphere of hate and place migrant workers in even greater danger.
“We don’t believe that the timing of Deane’s comments comes as a coincidence following the disgraceful racist violence and intimidation directed at migrant workers across NI, most recently the attack on a Deliveroo worker outside McDonald’s Connswater.
“Across hospitality and delivery platforms, migrant workers have been on the receiving end of abuse, threats and violence. Far-right groups cynically present themselves as “protectors of women and children,” yet their record tells a different story: last summer, almost half of those arrested for racist offences during riots had already been reported to the PSNI for domestic violence. The same misogyny and racism underpins both gender-based violence and these racist attacks.”
Now, following the condemnation, Michael Deane issued an apology on social media saying: “In attempting to comment on how the app economy has undermined the economic and social fabric of our city, decimating the high street and making strangers of neighbours, I appeared to lay the blame at the feet of the migrant workers who deliver food via these apps. For that, I would like to apologise.
“Migrant workers are the backbone of the hospitality industry, including my own establishments; without them our pubs and restaurants would not function. My words were poorly thought out and badly timed, and I apologise unreservedly.”
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