- THE INDEPENDENT-uk, MONDAY 27 JANUARY 2014
Anton Casey fired and flees Singapore in economy class over "poor people" comments
A British businessman who mocked the poor has fled Singapore after receiving death threats and losing his job as a wealth fund manager.
Anton Casey caused an uproar in the country after posting a series of abusive photographs on Facebook where he called a local taxi driver a "retard" and referred to commuters as "the poor".
The former City stockbroker was last seen on Friday morning boarding a Singapore Airlines flight en route to Perth, Australia, with his wife, a former Miss Singapore and his five-year old son in economy class.
(Anton Casey and his wife, a former Miss Singapore. Source: The Independent)
In an email to Singapore national daily The Straits Times, Casey said he hopes to make amends with the people of Singapore and return to the country one day, which he still considers his home.
He added: "I hope the people of Singapore will allow me to volunteer my time and resources to community projects in order to make amends for my mistakes.
"I also hope the people of Singapore, my adopted home, will forgive me over time… Singapore is our home, and we hope to return when we feel safe."
He described the incident as "the worst mistake of my life".
Casey's employer, Crossinvest Asia, has also announced it has "parted ways" with the banker with immediate after it launched an internal investigation over his inappropriate remarks.
In a statement, the firm said:" The online comments made by Mr Casey do not represent the culture that we have built over many years. Accordingly, Crossinvest Asia and Mr Casey have parted ways with immediate effect."
Crossinvest acknowledged that Casey's comments had caused "great distress among Singaporeans", who blasted his behaviour on social media and called for his immediate deportation.
Porsche-driving Casey had spent 12 years in the country. His wife and son are Singapore citizens.
Last week, the financier issued a separate statement where he apologised for his "poor judgement" and described Singapore as a "wonderful country" after the photographs where he mocked locals went viral.
(Anton Casey has apologised after causing an uproar in Singapore where he mocked poor people and a taxi driver. Source: The Independent)
In one post, Casey shared a picture of his son sitting on a train on Facebook with the caption: "Daddy, where is your car & who are all these poor people?"
Another photo showed the five-year-old in his Porsche, with an equally offensive caption: "Ahhhh reunited with my baby. Normal service can resume, once I have washed the stench of public transport off me."
In a separate Facebook post, Casey insulted a local cabbie for wearing a towel on his lap and hand warmers while driving.
He added: "Today's cabbie retard award goes to...Mr Arm Warmers, stripy mittens & towel on the lap man....After all, it's only 37c outside."
He tried to change his Facebook name to Anson Casey but ultimately deactivated the account to stop the abuse.
JIM ARMITAGE, THE INDEPENDENT-UK, Thursday 23 January 2014
Outlook: Expat who mocked the poor in Singapore is by no means unique
Singaporeans may be angry at the fund manager Anton Casey for his loathing of the ordinary folks on their island. But they shouldn't be surprised.
Because their government has created a country that sells itself to Westerners almost entirely with the lure of paying little or no income tax. Such a compact will always attract the type of expat for whom, like the late Margaret Thatcher, the concept of society and the shared endeavour that goes with it, is a nonsense. Why should I pay for other people's healthcare/education/public transport when I don't use it myself?
Anton Casey may flee Singapore after having his views aired in public, but he will surely leave many more like him behind.
MARIA TEDEO, THE INDEPENDENT-UK, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
British expat banker Anton Casey causes uproar in Singapore after mocking 'poor people' calling a taxi driver a 'retard'
A British businessman has issued an apology after receiving death threats in Singapore for mocking "poor people" and calling a taxi driver a "retard" in a series of abusive remarks.
Anton Casey, a fund manager married to a former Miss Singapore, has caused an uproar in the country after posting a picture of his son sitting on a train on Facebook with the caption: "Daddy, where is your car & who are all these poor people?"
Another photo shows the five-year-old in his Porsche, with an equally offensive caption: "Ahhhh reunited with my baby. Normal service can resume, once I have washed the stench of public transport off me."
In a separate Facebook post, the former London stockbroker insulted a local cabbie for wearing a towel on his lap and hand warmers while driving.
He added: "Today's cabbie retard award goes to...Mr Arm Warmers, stripy mittens & towel on the lap man....After all, it's only 37c outside."
Mr Casey, 39, tried to make amends in a YouTube video, but the stunt backfired after he told viewers: "Don't be angry at me, be angry with your mum and dad for raising you a wuss".
He claims the video was "misused" and taken out of context. He tried to change his Facebook name to Anson Casey but ultimately deactivated the account to stop the abuse.
The financier has received hundreds of angry comments from furious locals and death threats calling for him to leave the country immediately.
Mr Casey has apologised for his "poor judgement" describing Singapore as a "wonderful country".
In a statement, he said: "I have the highest respect and regard for Singapore and the good people of Singapore; this is my home.
"I wish for nothing more than to be forgiven for my poor judgment and given a second chance to rebuild the trust people have had in me as a resident of this wonderful country."
Mr Casey's firm Crossinvest Asia is investigating his comments and is set to take "appropriate action" once the review is completed.
Managing director Christophe Audergon said: "Crossinvest doest not condone the comments. We believe they were made in poor taste.
"We are currently investigating the comments made by our employee and will take appropriate action once we are in possession of all the facts."
No comments:
Post a Comment