Michael Deane complained about ‘undocumented’ Deliveroo and Just Eat drivers in a now deleted Facebook post
A Belfast restaurant owner has come under fire after complaining about “undocumented” delivery drivers on social media.
Michael Deane, who owns a number of high-profile restaurants in Belfast, made a post on Facebook this week where he complained about people using services such as Just East and Deliveroo, as they would lead to “undocumented strangers” coming to their home.
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.
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Hours after making the post on social media, which tagged Hospitality Ulster, the restaurant owner deleted it.
When applying to be a driver for Deliveroo, the opening page of the website says you must have documentation showing your right to work as self-employed in the UK.
The post said: “Dine out tonight support your local restaurant who stay loyal to its people and its produce Hospitality Ulster. Britain has become addicted to the app economy. Tap a button and dinner, groceries, or a ride home magically appear. But here’s the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to say out loud: when you order Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber, you’re not just ordering food or transport you’re effectively inviting a stranger, often an undocumented one right to your front door.
“Think about it. Once upon a time, the milkman left a couple of bottles on your doorstep. You knew his name, his family, his round. Now, an anonymous Deliveroo rider pulls up outside your house, logs your exact location and disappears into the night with your data. Who are they? Where did they come from? What checks were done? You don’t know. And you’re not supposed to ask.”
The comments have been condemned as “disgusting” by local politicians who have accused Michael Deane of “repeating racist lies” and “scapegoating migrant workers”.
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.”
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