Army veteran turned away from Wetherspoon pub for wearing poppy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 14:01 · Archive

A British Army veteran was denied entry to The Star pub in Gosport for wearing a poppy, which staff called 'political'.

A British Army veteran was denied entry to The Star pub in Gosport on Sunday 25 October after wearing a poppy. Video footage shared on social media shows a doorman telling the man the poppy is 'political' and that he cannot enter while wearing it. The doorman stated this was a blanket policy covering anything that could be perceived as political and cited the town's recent anti-immigration protests as context, adding that pride flag badges would also result in refusal of entry.

The veteran insisted the poppy was 'not political at all'. The doorman offered to let him in if he removed the poppy and placed it in his pocket, but said he would be asked to leave if he put it on inside the pub. The video was posted by Joe Standen, a Reform UK councillor, on social media, and quickly circulated.

Wetherspoon responded to the incident by confirming there is no blanket prohibition on poppies in their establishments. The company stated that 'some standard security measures' were implemented specifically due to the demonstrations taking place in Gosport that weekend.

How it is being reported

• Wetherspoons break silence after Army veteran 'turned away for wearing poppy'An Army veteran was reportedly refused entry to a Wetherspoon pub after the poppy he was wearing was classed as 'political' by security staffLeedsLive · 26 Oct, 13:31
• Army veteran 'turned away from Wetherspoon pub for wearing poppy'A British Army veteran was allegedly refused entry to a Wetherspoon pub for wearing a poppy with staff reportedly telling him it was 'political'Huddersfield Examiner · 26 Oct, 12:23

In this story: The Star · Wetherspoon · Gosport · Joe Standen · Reform UK

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