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29
Jun 2021
Harrogate hospital chief executive racially abused by England fan
The man in charge of Harrogate District Hospital has been racially abused by England fans on his way home tonight.
Steve Russell, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, tweeted about the incident shortly after England's 2-0 win over Germany.
He said that a woman shouted "I'm proud to be white and British because we're better than people like you".
Mr Russell is in charge of more than 2,000 staff who have been at the forefront of the fight against covid in the district over the past 15 months.
He has spoken about racism encountered in previous interviews, saying he had been told to "get back in my banana boat" while at school.
He has also said BAME colleagues deserve to be treated better.
Mr Russell's tweet to his almost 4,500 followers prompted an avalanche of supportive responses.
One said the comment was "utterly vile", another said "awful and just plain old barbaric" while another person said he hoped Mr Russell pointed out that most of England's goals have been scored by Jamaican-born Raheem Sterling.
Nice. Just walked home in Harrogate. People celebrating the #EnglandvGermany win and a woman slurred ‘I’m proud to be white and British because we’re better than people like you’ at me.
Charming.
— #hellomynameis Steve (he/him) 💙 (@steve_r76) June 29, 2021
Read more:
- A year of 'outstanding care' under immense pressure at Harrogate hospital
- Harrogate hospital coping well with covid, says chief executive
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