A well-known north-east hotelier has apologised after making what have been described as ‘derogatory homophobic remarks’ at a hospitality industry dinner.
Marcliffe Hotel owner Stewart Spence has apologised for the comments he made when speaking at a Hospitality Industry Trust dinner on Thursday night.
Mr Spence issued an apologetic statement on Friday afternoon, saying: “I made some very ill-advised comments at the dinner last night and I am absolutely mortified today.
“I would like to sincerely apologise for the offence caused. I don’t know what I was thinking.
“I was hoping to raise a few laughs around the seventies theme and while the words I used may have, regrettably, been commonplace in that generation, they were still entirely unacceptable.
“The Marcliffe is an inclusive place both for staff and customers. We welcome everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.
“I really regret this and am truly sorry.”
An HIT Scotland spokesperson said: “We strongly disagree with the homophobic views and comments expressed by one individual at last night’s Grampian fundraising dinner, they were a complete surprise and as shocking as they were inaccurate to the truth of the hospitality industry.
“Hospitality is a diverse and inclusive industry, it has consistently led the way on equality and diversity above and beyond any other sector and that is something we take great pride in.
“We would like to reassure everyone that his offensive comments were his own and in no way representative of the opinions of HIT Scotland or indeed the hospitality industry as a whole. It was very regretful that he chose an event in aid of the industry to make such unwelcome remarks.
“Despite these comments, the event went on to be another successful evening of fundraising for the charity and we want to thank our guests for their continued generosity that helped raise a considerable amount last night.”
