Phil Vickery, 60, hit out at those who have been “panic buying” fuel as he uploaded a meme (an image typically humorous in nature that is copied and spread online) to his Instagram story that ridiculed Britons who had spent hours queuing at petrol stations this week. UK drivers faced long wait times as a number of garages in the UK had temporarily closed, with BP and Esso warning of petrol and diesel shortages at some of its stations.
This Morning chef shared an image depicting children’s author AA Milne’s character Winnie The Pooh holding hands with his sidekick Piglet.
The caption read: “Why are people panic buying,” asked Piglet. “Because they’re w***ers,” replied Pooh.
Explaining why he chose to share the expletive-filled meme with his 26,900 followers, Phil typed: “Rather apt I thought…”
Today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there is “no shortage of fuel” and people should be “sensible” and fill up only when they need to.
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But spokesman Rod McKenzie told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House that it was “absolute nonsense” and said he had not been at the meeting.
A shortage of lorry drivers has caused problems for a range of industries in recent months, from supermarkets to fast-food chains.
In recent days, some fuel deliveries have been affected, leading to lengthy queues at petrol stations – with reports of dozens of cars queuing in London by 7am this morning.
Supermarket Sainsbury’s said it was experiencing “very high demand for fuel”, while Morrisons said it was a “rapidly moving situation” and it was working hard to keep its pumps open.
Asda put a £30 limit on fuel transactions and said that it had good levels of fuel supply.
While one driver, Julian Dunbar told The Guardian he had waited an hour and a half on the inside lane of the A406 North Circular in South Chingford, east London, to finally be able to fill up.
“The petrol light is on, I’m almost empty,” he said.
“It’s frustrating because not everyone here needs to fill up. We’re here because we need to for the week, not because we are panic-buying.”