Nurse of 30 years struck off after 'this is not a Muslim country' Facebook comment

A nurse with a 30-year-long career has been struck off after he posted "this is not a Muslim country" on social media in the aftermath of the Southport attacks. Simon Watts was reported to his employers after he made a series of "derogatory" and "racist" remarks on social media in the days after Axel Rudakubana murdered three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

The nurse, who worked at Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary, commented on his private Facebook page that "this country is finished due to the lack of immigration control" and that the Government should "Deport Deport Depot (sic) before more bloodshed occurs". He deleted the posts within hours of posting them, a disciplinary hearing was told.

But Mr Watts has now been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council for his conduct, which they said "could incite hostility towards minority groups".

The Nursing and Midwifery Council Fitness to Practise Committee hearing was told Mr Watts was formerly employed by medical care provider Mitie as a nurse working at Norfolk and Suffolk Police Constabulary.

Mr Watts wrote a series of posts on his private Facebook page on August 2, 2024, just days after the Southport attacks.

The nurse wrote: "This country has so many nasty immigrants wanting to spread hatred and violence towards its countries inhabitants. Deport Deport Depot [sic] before more bloodshed occurs. This is not a Muslim country and there should be no place for them".

Mr Watts said: "I don't care what colour or creed you are but I do really get the bump when violence occurs and there is so much PC bull**** surrounding it. So I'm not embarrassed and believe this country is finished due to the lack of immigration control.

"Why would someone attack young children and then be protected[? It] does my head in. Anyone rioting need (sic) to be flogged as I do not condone any of it as it just has no place. I just want immigrants first or second generation to be screened and deported if they do not follow or help our infrastructure as there is no place in my world for them. I would hate to be growing up now".

Mr Watts was referred to the NMC in October 2024 after an inspector at the force received a complaint which alleged he had "made remarks on social media that were discriminatory in nature". The nurse was suspended from November of that year.

A panel heard Mr Watts had accepted the comments he shared on Facebook were "offensive" and "racist". It was heard the nurse deleted the remarks within hours of posting them, before he was told to or informed of any complaint.

Mr Watts described his words as "wrong" and "bigoted", telling the panel he had completed online training addressing issues of discrimination and racism. He said his actions were "out of character" and "a serious blip".

Lawyers representing Mr Watts referred the NMC to freedom of expression guidance and said there were "no deep-seated attitudinal concerns in this case".

They described Mr Watts as a "competent nurse" who gave 30 years to the nursing profession and it "would not be in the public interest to deprive the public of a skilled nurse".

The panel said Mr Watts's behaviour was considered "deplorable" and "serious" by his colleagues. They said: "The panel was of the view that your behaviour, which involved making discriminatory, offensive and racist comments directed at minority groups, is demonstrative of deep seated attitudinal issues.

"It determined that the nature and tone of language used by you at the time of the incidents, indicates your deep seated views and hostility regarding race and religion.

"The panel noted you were challenged over your behaviour by the person you were in 'conversation' with on Facebook, and yet you continued to make comments of a discriminatory, offensive and racist nature.

"The panel was of the view that this behaviour is divisive which could incite hostility towards minority groups, which represents a potential risk of harm to the public.

"Your comments were discriminatory in that they singled out a group of people in a way that was less favourable than others."

The panel noted while patients were not put at risk and caused physical or emotional harm, "discriminatory behaviour outside of clinical practice has the potential to impact the public's trust and confidence in the nursing profession".

They also noted he made the remarks in the wake of the Southport attacks, which was a time when "community tensions were high".

Mr Watts was struck off after the panel concluded his behaviour was "completely unacceptable and extremely serious".