Senior politician from Bermuda apologises after asking female staff at London's Cereal Killer Café if they have 't***y milk'

Jacob Jarvis7 September 2018

A senior politician from Bermuda has apologised over a video in which he appeared to ask female workers at London's Cereal Killer Café if they had "t***y milk" for his cereal.

Wayne Caines, Bermuda's minister of national security, recorded a video of himself making the enquiry as a "joke" before posting the footage to his 4,000 followers on Instagram earlier this week.

Mr Caines was in London on Wednesday on government business where he met with National Crime Agency officials to discuss Britain's work on child sex abuse and exploitation overseas.

In the video, he approaches two women working behind the counter at the branch of the Cereal Killer Café.

He is heard to say in the clip: “Excuse me, can you mix these cereals? Can I get Captain Crunch and Fruit Loops together? Mixed?”

Mr Caines pictured with NCA officials on his trip to London

"I’m lactose intolerant, what kind of milk do you have? Do you have almond milk and soya milk?”

Then finally he said: “Any t***y milk?”

Mr Caines apologised and denied making the comments directly to the women behind the counter. He said he made the remark "jokingly" into his phone. The women did not seem to react to his comment in the clip.

“Alright, outta t***y milk,” he said, before going on to mention cereals again.

Apology: Wayne Caines, Bermuda's minister of national security

He later deleted his apology and then his entire Facebook page.

"Last night I made an inappropriate comment (joke) on my private Instagram account. To be clear- I did not make the comment(s) to the clerks, it was said jokingly into my phone.

"They did not hear the comment."

He continued: “Having said that, I apologise without reservation to everyone in Bermuda.

“I am a [sic] elected official who must always, conduct himself appropriately. On this occasion I fell way below the mark.

"What was meant to be a funny, is now anything but. I know better! This is an unnecessary own goal.

“I will stand and take my licks! On this occasion I deserve each lash!”

People described the incident as a “mistake” saying he should "move on."

One person wrote: “All of us make mistakes. The key is to acknowledge them, learn, and move on. The real sin is ignoring mistakes, or worse, seeking to hide them.”

Another said they did not think he needed to apologise and people were “touchy”.

Another person however told him to resign and another said he should be ashamed “of both your actions and this insincere apology”.

Susan Jackson, the shadow minister of health and seniors in Bermuda, said she was glad Mr Caines had “seen fit to apologise”.

“There is no place for offensive comments like this which can’t help but have a demeaning impact on young women and young mothers in particular.

“The Minister is out promoting Bermuda as a place of integrity to attract upstanding professionals. He’s promoting Bermuda to businesses that are working hard to increase diversity and equality within their workplaces.

“His comment shows remarkable disrespect,” she told Bermuda website Bernews.

A spokesperson for the Government of Bermuda said they were aware of Mr Caines' apology.

The Standard has asked for a further statement from the Government and for comment from the management of the Cereal Killer Café.

The Cereal Killer Café has London premises in Camden and Shoreditch.

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