A British Army veteran was turned away from a Wetherspoon pub after security staff claimed his Remembrance poppy was political.
Footage filmed outside The Star in Gosport on Sunday afternoon (October 25) shows security staff turning away a British Army veteran for wearing a poppy.
The venue was subject to entry restrictions as the Hampshire town became a flashpoint for anti-immigration demonstrations.
Door staff claim poppy is political
Video footage shared on social media shows a doorman telling the veteran that he could not enter while wearing the emblem.
The doorman told the pubgoer:
“Really sorry mate, you can’t come in with a poppy I’m afraid. It’s political.”
When the veteran insisted the symbol was “not political at all,” the doorman replied:
“I’m just doing my job.”
The doorman explained that the veteran could enter if he took off his poppy and placed it in his pocket.
He added:
“But don’t put it on inside. Because you’ll be asked to leave and they won’t serve you.”
Reform UK figures condemn venue
The video was posted on the Spotted Pompey Facebook page by Joe Standen, the Reform UK councillor for Paulsgrove.
Our servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice must never be treated as though their sacrifice is something to be embarrassed about or hidden away.
Joe Standen, Reform UK councillor
Speaking to the Daily Express, Mr Standen condemned the refusal:
“As a former Royal Marines Commando and current Councillor I am absolutely shocked and sickened to hear that an Army veteran has been refused entry into a Wetherspoons for wearing a poppy!
“Our servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice must never be treated as though their sacrifice is something to be embarrassed about or hidden away. This whole episode is shameful.”
Separate footage was posted on X by George Madgwick, Leader of Reform UK in Hampshire.
Mr Madgwick said:
“VETERANS wearing a Poppy are BANNED from Wetherspoons WOW. Manager of Gosport Wetherspoons states it’s ‘Company policy’ not to allow anyone in with a Remembrance Poppy on, as it ‘could be political ’. I can’t believe what I just heard from our nation’s biggest pub chain. Veterans wearing a poppy are banned from Wetherspoons.”
Anti-immigration protests sweep Gosport
Gosport has seen rising local frustration, with 400 demonstrators marching through its streets this weekend to protest against small boat arrivals.
Anti-migrant protesters marched from the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre towards the town square following the recent arrival of migrants from two vessels in Hampshire.
In a previous gathering, over 100 protesters assembled in the town after reports that migrants were being brought to the area, though they were eventually diverted to Dover.
Poppies are a traditional symbol of remembrance dating back to the aftermath of WWI, worn to honour members of the Armed Forces who served and sacrificed their lives in military conflicts.
Wetherspoon denies Remembrance ban
A spokesperson for Wetherspoon denied that the firm had instituted any ban on poppies.
The spokesperson said:
“Wetherspoon has been a long- standing supporter of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, with poppies for sale in our pubs, including the Star. There is no ban on poppies in Wetherspoon pubs.
“However there were some standard security measures in place today, as a result of demonstrations in the town. Unfortunately, some members of the public, including some wearing poppies, did not gain entry to the pub.
“The pub closed to all customers, on advice of the police, at 1700 and remains closed today. We apologise to any regular customers who have been inconvenienced by today’s events and look to forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow.”