Waitrose magazine editor quits after 'killing vegans joke' - but the internet doesn't know how to react

The editor of Waitrose Food magazine, William Sitwell, has resigned after he made controversial remarks about vegans.

Sitwell, who had held the role for almost 20 years, had responded to a freelance pitch to the publication on plant-based recipes.

His response was to make a joke about 'killing vegans' and 'exposing his hypocrisy', and also forcing them to eat steak.

Selene Nelson, who was the journalist who pitched the idea to Sitwell, shared his response via Twitter, after the story was first reported by BuzzFeed.

A spokesperson from the supermarket informed The Independentthat Sitwell had stepped down from the position.

We have 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've 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.

At the time Sitwell, who has appeared as a critic on Masterchef,did offer an apology for the email, saying:

I love and respect people of all appetites be they vegan, vegetarian or meat eaters, which I show week in week out through my writing, editing and broadcasting.

I apologise profusely to anyone who has been offended or upset by this.

The story has become something of a major talking point on social media in the past few days and there is a range of opinions on the issue.

Firstly there are the people who aren't happy with Sitwell, especially as Waitrose had just launched a new vegan range.

Then there are a large number of people attempting to defend Sitwell's 'jokes', mostly on the grounds of free speech.

Even politicians are weighing into the debate.

Some folks were just confused by the whole debate.

At least some people found the capacity to make a few jokes.

Author and RAF veteran Harry Leslie Smith made this interesting point about those in power abusing their position.

Rachel Cunliffe of City AM wrote a thought-provoking Twitter thread about how the scandal is emblematic of the ongoing culture war.

At the end of the day, we think that we can all agree that an editor of a magazine, that represents a major high street supermarket, shouldn't be making jokes about killing anyone to a perfect stranger.

Can we all just move on now? Thanks.