A supermarket worker refused to serve a man with Parkinson’s disease – because they thought he was drunk.
Liam Durkin – whose symptoms include constant shaking and limited movement in his back and neck – had gone to the Asda store in Longsight to buy cider, wine, chocolate and biscuits.
But when he got the checkout he was refused service and accused of being drunk.
Mr Durkin, 61, had to ask for a manager and explain about his condition before he was finally allowed to buy his shopping.
The store has now apologised to him.
The former electrician has suffered from Parkinson’s for 10 years.
His wife Marie, 55, said he was ‘in a right state’ when she went to pick him up.
Mrs Durkin said: “My husband was really upset. Do these people want him to wear a sign around his neck saying that he has Parkinson’s disease? he felt totally humiliated and I was really angry.
“People should not be labelled like that. My husband is a decent person. he does not drink much alcohol anyway. he can’t because he is on too many tablets.”
Mrs Durkin, 55, a former care home worker, added: “The store was very apologetic but this should not happen and I don’t want it to happen again.”
An Asda spokesman apologised to the couple, who live in nearby Kershaw Walk.
He said: “We take our responsibility as an alcohol retailer very seriously. unfortunately on this occasion, we misread the situation – but we can’t fault our colleagues for trying to do the right thing.
“As soon as mr Durkin explained his condition we apologised to him and his wife.
“We’re sincerely sorry for any upset caused and hope mr and Mrs Durkin will continue to shop with us.”
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