Iceland managing director Richard Walker has offered a job to Walker Smith, 54, after the Waitrose employee was dismissed for confronting a shoplifter at its Clapham Junction store in London, according to statements made on LinkedIn.
Smith, who had worked for Waitrose for 17 years, was sacked days after attempting to stop a suspected repeat offender who had filled a bag with Easter eggs. A brief struggle reportedly followed before the bag split and the items fell to the floor.
This follows growing backlash against Waitrose’s decision, with politicians and members of the public criticising the dismissal. A fundraiser launched to support Smith has raised more than £7,000 in two days.
Richard Walker said Smith would be “welcome to a job” at Iceland, as public pressure mounted over the case. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has also written to Waitrose chief executive Tom Denyard calling for Smith to be reinstated and awarded a bonus.
Waitrose has defended its actions, stating that there is a “serious danger to life” when staff attempt to physically intervene in thefts and that company policies must be followed.
Smith said in a social media post that his priority is now finding new employment, adding that he has experience in customer service and warehousing after nearly two decades with the retailer.
