London: Exclusive London department store Harrods has sacked its Santa Claus after complaints that he racially abused an Asian family and made unpleasant remarks about their daughter, said media reports.
The store's Father Christmas shocked shoppers with his outburst on Monday, the London Evening newspaper reported.
When Santa saw an Asian couple and their children, he reportedly blurted out: "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be shopping in Tesco (a British supermarket chain)?"
As the furious family turned to leave the Knightsbridge store, he made suggestive comments about the couple's teenage daughter, asking her to come and sit on his knee.
The parents, who have not been identified, complained immediately after the incident.
A Harrods spokesperson apologised on Wednesday and said that the Santa had been fired, the paper reported.
"Having received a few complaints relating to the treatment of adult family members visiting our Christmas grotto, we promptly sought to identify the cause of the problems," the spokesperson said.
"We were able to identify the individual and terminated his seasonal contract. Even if the remarks were made in good humour, we cannot condone behaviour that offends our customers," he added.
The store, owned by Egyptian Mohamed al-Fayed, is believed to employ six Santas and its Santa's Grotto is considered one of the best in the world.
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