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, told the Daily Mail 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 Mail, Cllr 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.’
Footage shows the security guard saying: ‘Anything that could be perceived as political, it’s a no. It’s blanket.
‘That group down there, when the come down if they’ve got pride flag badges, we will also be turning those away. It is blanket across the board.
Security guards at a Wetherspoons in Gosport refused entry to veterans because they were wearing poppies
The group had been trying to head for a drink after campaigning
‘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.’
Cllr Madgwick said both security staff and the manager gave the same explanation, adding that 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.’
The confrontation took place on Sunday, October 25, as an anti-immigration march and a separate counter-demonstration were held in Gosport.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary estimated that between 500 and 550 people attended across the two events. The demonstrations passed without incident and no arrests were made, according to local reporting.
Cllr Madgwick said the protests were about half a mile from the pub and insisted there was nothing about the group’s clothing to identify them with either gathering.
‘There was a peaceful protest about half a mile away, and a counter-protest was also taking place,’ he said.
‘But the people at the pub weren’t carrying flags or banners, and there was nothing to indicate they were part of either protest.’
He said a crowd subsequently gathered outside the pub and police arrived.
‘About half an hour later, a crowd gathered outside. A few police officers turned up because people were talking about the fact that they weren’t allowing people in with poppies,’ he said.
A local councillor described the group’s treatment as ‘disgusting and shameful’
He added: ‘I’m disgusted. The poppy should never be used as a political statement or as a reason to judge someone negatively.
‘It represents remembrance and respect for those who died serving our country and the Commonwealth. It is just shameful really that this has happened.’
Responding to the incident, Wetherspoon said: ‘There is no ban on poppies in Wetherspoon pubs.’
The company said it had supported the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal for many years and that poppies were being sold at The Star.
It attributed the entry restrictions to security arrangements surrounding the demonstrations, saying some customers, including people wearing poppies, had not gained entry while those measures were operating.
The pub subsequently closed to all customers at 5pm on police advice, with reopening planned for the following day. Wetherspoon apologised to regular customers inconvenienced by the events.
The company’s charity information says its pubs sell poppies and raise around £60,000 each year for the appeal.
The Royal British Legion describes the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance, support for the Armed Forces community and hope for a peaceful future.
Its guidance states: ‘The red poppy has no political or religious meaning and the decision to wear it is a matter of personal choice.’
Ahead of Sunday’s demonstrations, police had announced dispersal powers and restrictions on face coverings in designated areas, alongside conditions governing the march’s route and departure time.
The town has seen demonstrations over small-boat arrivals and plans to reopen the former Haslar Immigration Removal Centre.
The Home Office plans an initial refurbishment providing around 130 places, with a further phase potentially bringing capacity to around 600, subject to planning permission and other approvals.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have been approached for comment.
