RBL launches poppy appeal
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Punters appear to have been banned from entering a JD Wetherspoon pub today because they were wearing poppies.
Staff refused the group of six people entry, saying the symbol could be “perceived as political”.
The incident happened this afternoon outside The Star in Gosport, Hampshire.
A clip from the incident first reveals a confrontation with security, then what appears to be a manager.
In the video shared on social media, the bouncer tells the group: “I’m just doing my job.”
He goes on to say if they were to put their poppy on inside, they would be “asked to leave”.
The member of staff, believed to be the manager, said a “blanket ban” had been put on anything that could be “perceived as political”.
He added: “It’s fair for everyone. It’s blanket. Full stop.”
Reform UK councillor for Portsmouth City Council, George Madgwick, told GB News founder and owner of Wetherspoons Sir Tim Martin will “go ballistic” when he finds out about the incident.
He said: “I can’t believe it. If it wasn’t recorded, I wouldn’t believe it’s true either.”
Mr Madgwick told the People’s Channel the group were members of Reform UK and had been out campaigning, but did not have any visible sign of that they were representing Nigel Farage’s party.
On the same day, around 400 anti-migrant protesters descended on the area after two small boats had turned up at the nearby shore.
A counter protest was also present and Hampshire Police said both protests passed without incident and no arrests were made.
The force issued a ban on face-covering and a dispersal order.
Founded by Sir Tim in 1979, Wetherspoons publicly supports the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and has raised tens of thousands of pounds annually for the charity.
However, the chain previously sparked criticism after a woman wearing a Union Jack dress was refused entry to The Picture House in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
The business appears to operate a general no-flags, no-placards policy in its establishments to keep a neutral atmosphere and manage licensing obligations.
In 2017, the company was forced to clarify it has not banned staff from wearing poppies after a spoof Twitter account claimed it had.
JD Wetherspoon has been contacted for comment.
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