A solicitor from Cheshire has provoked widespread criticism after boasting on social media about hosting a themed dinner party based on a 'council estate' menu.
The Controversial Dinner Party Details
Sophie Murgatroyd, a 35-year-old lawyer who lives near affluent Knutsford, shared details of the meal on LinkedIn. She described the theme as a 'council estate dinner', serving a spread of nostalgic, processed foods. The menu featured items like Fray Bentos pies, turkey dinosaurs, spam fritters, chicken dippers, potato waffles, and crispy pancakes. Sides included smiley faces, baked beans, and oven chips.
For dessert, guests brought Viennetta ice cream, spotted dick with custard, and ginger cake. The drinks served were Sunny Delight and Buck's fizz. Murgatroyd, who runs 'Law by Sophie' and qualified as a solicitor in 2017, posted a photo of the gathering online. She invited comment with the question: 'Do you think we missed anything? A classic?' and used the hashtag '#Ineed a Rennie'.
Immediate Backlash and Accusations of Insensitivity
The post was quickly branded as 'tone deaf' and 'insensitive' by followers, leading Murgatroyd to delete it. Critics argued the theme was derogatory towards people who actually live on council estates. Beverley Borkowski, a chief people officer, remarked it was 'tone deaf' and suggested it was merely an '80's tea-time classic at best, no need for the label'.
Mental health assessor Rose-Marie Macintyre wrote that 'council estate meals sounds so demeaning to people living there', noting some families could not afford such foods. Actuary Richard Shaw added that the food described was not unique to one social demographic and called it 'rather insulting to those families who provide healthy meals'.
A Privileged Upbringing and Professional Reaction
Murgatroyd's background appears far removed from the theme of her party. She grew up on her parents' farm near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and was given her first horse, named Twinkle, at the age of three. In a 2018 interview with Cheshire Life, she emphasised that having room for stables was a priority when house hunting.
The backlash extended to her professional peers on the legal industry blog Roll On Friday. One commentator called her 'unbelievably out of touch and an embarrassment to the profession'. Another accused 'poshos' of mocking working-class people, referencing Murgatroyd being 'given a load of horses as a kid'.
The Solicitor's Defence
When approached by the Daily Mail, Sophie Murgatroyd disputed that the post was insensitive. She claimed some guests had grown up on council estates and were not offended. 'It's not about where you come from, it's about spending time with quality people,' she stated. She compared the theme to eating Mexican food without being Mexican.
Murgatroyd explained she deleted the post because she did not have time to respond to everyone, not because she believed it was offensive. 'I don't think it is, and it certainly wasn't meant to be insensitive,' she concluded.
