Army veteran in disbelief when refused entry to Gosport Wetherspoons for wearing 'political' poppy

A British Army veteran was left in disbelief when he was refused entry to a Gosport Wetherspoon pub for wearing a “political” poppy.

Social media footage showed the man being turned away from The Star in the High Street on Sunday afternoon. The decision to deny entry has been described as a “sickening” move to ban the remembrance symbol for those who served the Armed Services.

The incident came amid anti-immigration protests as around 500 demonstrators marched through the streets to protest after planned small boat arrivals in the town recently.

A large police presence was positioned outside The Star as people were captured on video being turned away. Wetherspoons claimed they were told by officers to close the pub but police have rejected this.

In footage shared on Facebook, the pub manager said: "Really sorry mate, you can't come in with a poppy I'm afraid. It's political." After the pubgoer insists it's "not political at all," he replies: "I'm just doing my job."

The man is told he can come into the pub if he removes his poppy. "But don't put it on inside because you'll be asked to leave and they won't serve you,” the staff member adds.

Joe Standen, the Reform UK councillor for Paulsgrove, posted a video on social media as did councillor George Madgwick, leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, on X.

Cllr Standen said: "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."

Cllr 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."

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 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. We apologise to any regular customers who have been inconvenienced by events.”

A police spokesperson contradicted Wetherspoons claim that officers asked the pub to shut. A spokesperson said: “Following the protest in Gosport a number of people gathered in Gosport High Street.

“No offences were identified and police did not ask any pubs to shut their doors. The group soon dispersed on their own.”