Why is military ID not good enough for pub doormen?
Just 24 hours earlier they had been fighting on the front line in Afghanistan. But that wasn't enough to get two marines through the doors of a pub for a homecoming pint.
Dan Buchanan and Kelvin Billings were stunned when doormen at the J D Wetherspoons in Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, refused them entry.
They showed their military ID which includes their date of birth but Wetherspoons said the cards were not acceptable as evidence of proof of age.
Marine Buchanan, 21, said: 'A day before, I was putting my life on the line for Britain and yet that didn't count for anything.
'We were disgusted and angry, to be honest.'
The pair, who are serving with 42 and 45 Commando in Afghanistan during the current deployment, had both returned to their shared house in Southsea unaware that the other had leave.
They went to the Isambard Kingdom Brunel pub, dressed in civilian clothes, for a quiet beer and catch-up about 9.30pm on Saturday.
But the doorman asked them for ID and rejected the military cards they produced.
Mne Buchanan said: 'We couldn't believe it, we didn't have any other ID because it's all still in Afghanistan.'
Lance Corporal Billings, 22, said he was shocked that military ID was not enough to get past the doormen.
'The head doorman said it is company policy, but Portsmouth is the home of the navy and the marines have been here for centuries, so how can that be right?
'Without us these places wouldn't be in business, it's completely hypocritical.'
Lib Dem MP for Portsmouth South Mike Hancock, who also sits on the Commons Defence Committee, said: 'It's absolutely appalling.
'These men have put their lives on the line. They had their military ID on them which clearly would have had pictures to identify them, so why on earth weren't they allowed in? It's jobsworthiness gone mad.
'Licensed premises are entitled to ask for ID for age-checking purposes but I can't believe that they could not accept military ID. It's absolutely mind boggling.'
A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said the company only accepts three forms of ID to combat fraud – a passport, driving licence or UK citizen card.
He added: 'We have a really good relationship with the armed forces and welcome them into our pubs. In fact, we are currently running a promotion, which offers discount to armed forces personnel.
'We apologise if the person was disappointed that he was not allowed in but we only accept a handful of forms of ID.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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