Head UK banker leaves job over Muslim gaffe

[mawilson 2,133]

A senior banking industry figure has left his job after making a joke about Muslims which

reportedly stunned colleagues and was the subject of complaints. Marc Howells of

Barclaycard Europe has left his post.

Howells was discussing quarterly figures with staff when he is reported as saying:

"The results were like Muslims – some were good, some were Shi'ite".

The remark was reported to senior management and a complaint was made. It is

understood that Howells has left in what has been called 'redundancy under compromise'.

He was the head of Barclaycard in Europe.

Barclaycard will not comment directly on Howells and his leaving of the company, but

company sources told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Once word got round and a complaint

was made he was toast. Part of the deal was that the circumstances of his departure must

never be disclosed. But there was no chance of that once his Shi'ite joke started doing the rounds."

"We have nothing to add on this particular case," said a Barclaycard statement. "Everybody

who works here gets guidance of what is right and what is wrong. We have a robust approach

to equality and diversity and do not tolerate discrimination."

Copyright © 2007, OUT-LAW.com

[Ban Hammer 13,643]

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

HR strikes again

[Fandango 1,440]

'stunned colleagues'

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I wonder if I would have been fired for laughing my ### off when he said that.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

'stunned colleagues'

Obviously, depends on who your colleagues are. This guy didn't read his situation right and he's paying the price for it.

[PlatyPius 5]

What a bunch of Shi'ite.

Come on..... I thought Brits were the kings of the well-turned pun. How was it in ANY way offensive?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What a bunch of Shi'ite.

Come on..... I thought Brits were the kings of the well-turned pun. How was it in ANY way offensive?

I think that joke would offend me if I were Shi'ite. I've said that same pun many times myself but I don't do it around anyone who might be Shi'ite. You just gotta know your audience. Not everything is always socially appropriate.