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 staff

A veteran was denied entry to a Wetherspoon pub after the poppy he was wearing was deemed 'political'. Video footage of the exchange in which the customer is turned away by security has been widely circulated on social media.

In the recording, the veteran, who is filming, is informed by staff that the poppy is 'political' and he would not be served while wearing it. The staff member clarifies to the veteran that it is a blanket policy which encompasses anything that could be interpreted as political.

The incident is understood to have taken place at The Star, in Gosport, on Sunday afternoon (25 October). The town was also the location of a 400-strong anti-immigrant protest which marched through its streets. In a statement, Wetherspoon confirmed there is no prohibition on poppies in their establishments, noting that 'some standard security measures' were implemented due to the 'demonstrations in the town. You can't come in with a poppy I'm afraid'.

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In footage posted on Facebook, the doorman begins by stating: "It's blanket, anything that could, not saying it is, but could be perceived as political, is no." He continues: "With that group down there, if they come down with pride flag badges, we'll also be turning those away."

In the clip, the Spoons doorman also stated: "Really sorry mate, you can't come in with a poppy I'm afraid. It's political." After the customer insists it's "not political at all," he responds: "I'm just doing my job."

He then describes how the gentleman can access the pub if they remove their poppies and place them in their pockets. "But don't put it on inside," he adds. "Because you'll be asked to leave and they won't serve you."

The clip was uploaded by Joe Standen, the Reform UK councillor for Paulsgrove, on the Spotted Pompey Facebook page. Additional footage was also posted by George Madgwick, Leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, on X. Mr Standen told the Daily Express: "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."

Meanwhile, Mr Madgwick said on X: "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."

What Wetherspoons has said.

A Wetherspoon 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 5pm 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."

Further protests in Gosport

Poppies serve as a symbol of remembrance, honouring Armed Forces personnel who served and gave their lives in military conflicts. The custom of wearing a poppy originated in the wake of the First World War.

Additional protests took place in Gosport over the weekend, with anti-migrant demonstrators marching through the town from the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) towards the town square. This follows the arrival of migrants from two vessels in Hampshire in recent months.

Previously, more than 100 protesters assembled in the town after reports emerged that migrants were being brought to the area. However, they were ultimately redirected to Dover.

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