Furious protesters have covered a Wetherspoon pub in poppies after veterans were refused entry for wearing them.
Members of the group were wearing ordinary clothes without party logos, flags or other political branding, but were told to remove their poppies before entering The Star in Gosport, Hampshire, on Sunday afternoon.
In a video posted on X yesterday afternoon, two hooded demonstrators were seen stood on tables and placing several poppy stickers on the pub sign and its frontage.
The clip was captioned: ‘It looks like the Gosport Wetherspoons are getting a taste of their own medicine.’
Wetherspoon previously 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.
Councillor George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, said the group had been meeting for a drink after campaigning, and described their treatment as ‘disgusting and shameful’.
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.’
Furious protestors have covered a Wetherspoon pub in poppies after Veterans were refused entry for wearing them
In a video seen on X, two hooded demonstrators were seen stood on tables outside the pub and placing several poppy stickers on the pub sign and its shopfront
The clip was captioned: ‘It looks like the Gosport Wetherspoons are getting a taste of their own medicine.’
Veteran Scott Schillemore, also among the group, said he was ‘gobsmacked’ at being denied entry.
The Daily Mail has contacted JD Wetherspoon for comment.
Footage showed 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.’
The confrontation took place on Sunday, October 25 as an anti-immigration march and a separate counter-demonstration were held in Gosport.
Members of the group were wearing ordinary clothes without party logos, flags or other political branding, but were told to remove their poppies before entering The Star in Gosport, Hampshire
A local councillor described the group’s treatment as ‘disgusting and shameful’ (security pictured at The Star)
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.
Mr 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.
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.’
