A chef has hit back at critics who said a ‘prostitutes available’ sign outside his restaurant was sexist – because men can be prostitutes too.

The Marble Arch branch of Japanese restaurant Kurobuta came under scrutiny after installing large Japanese-language neon signs.

Surprised Japanese-speakers reported that the signs actually read “prostitutes available and “slut”, leading to protests from feminist groups.

However, chef Scott Hallsworth says the signs are not sexist – because men can be prostitutes too.

He told the Evening Standard: “We have no record of sexism as a company and the signage actually doesn’t mention women — prostitution is an ancient trade which involves men, women, everyone.”

However, Mr Hallsworth added he will remove the signs after sustained complaints from the Fawcett Society

“This is simply a piece of art in a big, cosmopolitan city. I’m going to get an electrician to take the signs off the main circuit — will the Fawcett Society help me with the bill?”



The Fawcett Society told the newspaper the incident underlines “how much there is still left to do before some people get that women are not here to be demonised”.

Kurobuta has since tweeted that the chain is “very sorry for any offence caused”.