Assistant chief executive Sue Nelson, who is champion of market initiatives at the charity campaign group, called the Lancashire town “the arse-end of the world” in a speech she made to a national conference in London.
”We are deeply sorry for the offence that has caused.“
– Alan Woods, Encams CEO
Ms Nelson – who has worked at Encams for four years on anti-litter campaigns which have included the slogan “don't be a tosser” – is reported as saying in her speech that “London is the financial capital – Wigan is the pie capital”.
Encams has been forced into an embarrassing damage limitation exercise, with chief executive Alan Woods describing Ms Nelson's clanger as “off the cuff”. Nevertheless, Mr Woods was forced into a grovelling apology to the people of Wigan, where Encams has been located for 17 years.
Deeply sorry
Mr Woods said: “Unfortunately, off the cuff comments made by one of our staff have not portrayed our home town in the best light – and we are deeply sorry for the offence that has caused.”
The campaign group has launched a disciplinary inquiry after the incident, which occurred at a conference on urban regeneration and renewal issues in front of industry experts and civil servants. Ms Nelson has since written to Wigan metropolitan borough council to apologise.
Steve Jones, the council's chief executive, said: “We will not be distracted by ill-judged remarks which don't represent the reality of modern Wigan.”
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