HSBC sacks employees for 'mock IS execution' video

HSBC sacks employees for 'mock IS execution' video
Six HSBC employees have been sacked for posting a video online depicting a mock IS execution filmed during a team-building exercise for staff.
1 min read
08 July, 2015
The seven second video was posted on Instagram before being deleted [al-Araby]

HSBC has sacked six employees after they posted a video online showing them taking part in a mock Islamic State group style killing.

The footage, believed to be filmed at a go-karting centre on a team-building day in Birmingham, shows five employees dressed in jumpsuits and balaclavas similar to those worn by IS militants.

One of them is holding a coat hanger, presumably to replicate a knife, while a sixth kneels in front of them wearing an orange jumpsuit. One of the employees holds the man kneeling by the shoulder.

The seven second video was posted on Instagram before being deleted. However, a copy was send to the UK’s Sun newspaper.

An HSBC spokesman said: "We do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour.

"As soon as The Sun brought this video to our attention we took the decision to sack the individuals involved.

"This is an abhorrent video and HSBC would like to apologise for any offence caused."

The news was spread on social media, including Twitter: