A BASINGSTOKE family firm has come under fire after being wrongly linked to a Silicon Valley CEO who was recorded hurling racist abuse to an Asian family.
In a shocking video that has gone viral online, the gentleman dining at Bernadus Lodge and Spa Lucia restaurant in Carmel Valley on Saturday says "Trump is going to f*** you" to diners who are trying to enjoy a meal.
He calls the family a "f***ing Asia piece of s**t" before an outraged restaurant worker steps in and tells him to "get out".
This happened to my friend Jordan last night in Monterey, CA while celebrating her aunt’s birthday. All they were doing was singing happy birthday when this man started yelling disgusting racist remarks. These racists exist and they’re getting comfortable. Please vote! pic.twitter.com/T8RtSKDM3J
— john (@JohnRizkallah) July 5, 2020
It has been widely reported online that the gentleman was Michael Lofthouse, the CEO and founder of tech company Solid8.
Unfortunately, for one managing director in Basingstoke, their firm Solid8 Consulting Ltd. has a similar name.
Now they have been forced to issue a statement after being bombarded with hundreds of calls, emails and messages.
In a statement released by Emma Jones, Managing Director and Owner of Solid8 Consulting Ltd., she said: "It appears that my company, Solid8 Consulting Ltd, is being incorrectly attacked for racism and hatred.
"We are currently receiving huge amounts of emails, calls and messages from people accusing us of having a CEO that is racist.
"This is a case of mistaken identity and we are in no way associated with the business in question.
"We don’t actually have a CEO, I run and own the company along with my Fiance, Josh.
"Action like we are seeing today damages businesses and livelihoods.
"Whilst I appreciate that people are understandably outraged and want to express their views by what they have seen on video of a CEO from a company with a similar name, we are NOT associated or affiliated in any way with HIS company in the USA."
Michael, who appears to have deactivated his LinkedIn and social media accounts after the incident, has issued an apology for his "appalling" behaviour.
He said: "My behaviour in the video is appalling. This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments.
"I would like to deeply apologise to the Chan family. I can only imagine the stress and pain they feel.
"I was taught to respect people of all races, and I will take the time to reflect on my actions and work to better understand the inequality that so many of those around me face every day."
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