Orange suspends blogger employee

I saw this story on Guido Fawkes's blog and was going to post about it, but Stuart Bruce has beaten me to it.

In a nutshell, Inigo Wilson, a community affairs spokesman for telecoms firm, Orange, posted a supposedly tongue-in-cheek guide to left-wing terminology at the grass-roots Conservative blog, ConservativeHome. I won't repeat the content but his remarks covered such timely and sensitive remarks as Palestine, Islamophobia and terrorism.

Orange swiftly suspended Inigo much to the discontent of readers at Guido's blog. The firm then issued a statement explaining its decision.

On reading Inigo's remarks - and before engaging my political filter - I thought to myself: "Orange have made the correct decision."

But I was genuinely surprised by the comments on Guido's blog in support of Inigo, championing free speech [sic] and calling on readers to boycott Orange.

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised as Guido's blog is notoriously right-wing. But from a purely PR perspective what else could Orange do? If staff member of your firm makes comments like the ones made by Inigo then the decision to suspend must come swiftly to protect - if only temporarily -the firm's brand value.

Some comments pointed out that Inigo's comments were meant as a joke. But this too misses the point that if someone writes contentious remarks on the internet to be recorded and disseminated what do they think will happen.

A similar question was raised by my managing director recently following email correspondence from Colin Farrington. Colin raised the point that although my personal blog doesn't make specific reference to my employer (Cicada PR), it isn't difficult to link me with the firm.

Absolutely true. This is why I don't make potentially damaging or offensive remarks.Colin also raised the issue of an employer's legal responsibility for comments made by an employee in a personal capacity.

Given the potential ramifications, I honestly have no idea what possessed Inigo Wilson - a communications professional at that - to believe he could make "jokey" remarks on the internet about Islamophobia or terrorism (especially given recent events) and not cause his employer some concern.

Comments

[paul]

Guido censors post. which is a bit rich for someone campaigning for free speech.