by Lettice Bromovsky, Daily Mail (Image: Wikimedia public domain)
Veterans were refused entry to a Wetherspoon pub for wearing remembrance poppies after staff deemed them too ‘political’.
Members of the group were told to remove their poppies before entering The Star in Gosport, Hampshire, on Sunday afternoon, despite wearing ordinary clothes without party logos, flags or other political branding.
Councillor George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, said the group had been meeting for a drink after campaigning. He described their treatment as ‘disgusting and shameful’.
Wetherspoon denied operating a poppy ban, saying additional security measures were in place because of demonstrations in the town. It acknowledged that some customers wearing poppies were among those refused entry.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Madgwick said: ‘A few of us were meeting at the pub after campaigning. We were wearing ordinary clothes, with no flags, party logos or political branding. A couple of the men were veterans wearing poppies.
‘When we reached the door, security told us we couldn’t come in wearing poppies and asked us to remove them. The explanation was that it was company policy.’
Veteran Scott Schillemore, also among the group, said he was ‘gobsmacked’ at being denied entry.
Footage shows a security guard telling the group: ‘Anything that could be perceived as political, it’s a no. It’s blanket
‘That group down there, when they come down if they’ve got pride flag badges, we will also be turning those away. It is blanket across the board.
‘Today it is blanket. Anyone wearing anything that could be perceived – it is no. When they come down with badges, they will also be turned away. It’s fair for everybody, it’s blanket. Full stop.’
Mr Madgwick said both security staff and the manager gave the same explanation, adding he initially struggled to believe what he was being told.
‘The manager said they would take the same view if someone had a pride flag. I think that’s a completely different thing and an outrageous comparison to make,’ he said.
‘The poppy shouldn’t be political. Veterans and people who remember them come from every political persuasion, party and belief.’