Calls are growing to reinstate a Waitrose employee who was allegedly sacked for tackling a shoplifter at the Clapham Junction store.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp says the supermarket chain has acted “disgracefully” by dismissing shop assistant Walker Smith.

He has worked at the Clapham Junction branch for 17 years.

The 54 year old claims he was sacked two days after confronting a shoplifter leading to a brief struggle before the shoplifter fled.

Mr Smith told The Guardian he threw a piece of chocolate in frustration, not aiming it at the shoplifter and apologised.

Waitrose says the reporting of Mr Smith’s case, based on an interview with the newspaper, does not cover the “full facts of the situation”.