Specsavers has launched an investigation after an employee allegedly accused a war veteran of ‘killing innocent people’.
The East Anglian Daily Times reported that the incident took place in Woodbridge, Suffolk on February 15, where Steve Leale, who served in the army for 32 years, was refused a priority appointment. He claimed that a staff member accused him of ‘invading other countries’ and ‘killing innocent people’ when he asked if he could be listed as a veteran.
Leale said: ‘The trip started with a pleasant conversation with a separate member of staff who helped put my disabled wife at ease. Afterwards, the optician approached me and recommended I was referred to the hospital as my eyesight had deteriorated. I asked if they could kindly annotate the paperwork to state I was a veteran, as is part of the Forces Charter.’
A Specsavers spokesperson added: ‘A GOC registered employee has been suspended pending a disciplinary investigation into comments made to a customer at the Woodbridge store. The alleged comments do not represent the views of Specsavers, who are active supporters of Blind Veterans UK, a charity which cares for former military personnel with sight problems.’