‘Keyboard warrior’ nurse avoids suspension for vomit emoji reply to Pride post

A nurse who described an LGBTQ+ Pride Facebook post as “disturbing” and commented with vomiting emojis has avoided suspension, despite a disciplinary panel finding him guilty of misconduct.

George Eduard Stae, appearing before a misconduct hearing, previously admitted to being a “keyboard warrior” who would “lash out” online by writing “something nasty” due to his “personal situation.”

He explained that he posted 10 vomiting and nauseating face emojis on the Pride post on International Children’s Day, June 1, 2021, because he “did not like how Pride appeared to have taken over Facebook on International Children’s Day.”

In an earlier informal meeting with his employer, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Mr Stae had told bosses he found the Facebook advert, which included a picture of a man wearing high-heeled shoes and head jewellery, “disturbing”, the panel heard.

More serious allegations against Mr Stae, including that he told a doctor “I will kill you” and called him a “f****** Muslim” during an incident on November 27, 2022, were withdrawn. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) dropped these charges after the panel ruled that hearsay evidence from the doctor was not admissible.

The panel ultimately concluded that Mr Stae’s Facebook comment was “prejudicial and discriminatory” towards individuals based on their sexuality and/or gender identity, ruling that the registered nurse had indeed committed misconduct.

Mr Stae expressed significant remorse to the panel, stating he realised his comment was “completely wrong and inappropriate.”

He added: “It was brought into my attention at work and I was very ashamed of my behaviour, especially because I have many friends and colleagues that have different sexual orientation than me and I never had an issue with that.” He further insisted: “This isn’t the person I am.”

While Samprada Mukhia, representing the NMC, argued that Mr Stae should face a six-month suspension, the panel ultimately determined that such a disciplinary order would be “wholly disproportionate.”

Instead, Mr Stae was made the subject of a 12-month caution order in a ruling delivered on Friday. This sanction will be officially recorded on the register, serving as a clear mark from the committee that his actions were “unacceptable and must not happen again.”

The trust had previously issued Mr Stae a written warning for 12 months.