Wetherspoon breaks silence over poppy ban fury after veteran turned away

Wetherspoon breaks silence over poppy ban fury after veteran turned away The pub giant has spoken out after furious backlash over claims that Remembrance poppies were banned from one of its boozers. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Emily Wright , World News Reporter, Toby Codd 13:38, Mon, Oct 26, 2026 Updated: 13:41, Mon, Oct 26, 2026 The pub giant has spoken out after furious backlash over claims that Remembrance poppies were banned from one of its boozers (Image: Getty) JD Wetherspoon has denied banning Remembrance poppies in its pubs, stating that heightened security measures surrounding local protests led to entry restrictions at a Hampshire venue over the weekend. The statement follows widespread online backlash after footage circulated of a British Army veteran being refused entry to The Star in Gosport on Sunday afternoon (October 25). In the clip, a doorman told the man he could not enter wearing a poppy because it was "political" and instructed him to remove it or face being denied service inside. A spokesperson for Wetherspoon clarified the chain's established policy and explained the context of the day's policing operations: "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. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "However, there were some standard security measures in place today, 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 1700 and remains closed today. We apologise to any regular customers who have been inconvenienced by today’s events and look forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow." The confrontation took place as Gosport became the focus of major civil unrest, with around 400 anti-immigration demonstrators marching through the streets from the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre toward the town square to protest small boat arrivals in Hampshire . Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Fury as Army veteran turned away from Wetherspoon pub for 'wearing a poppy' Horror as British Airways flight has ‘near miss’ with ‘UFO’ at 5,800 feet The doorman advised pubgoers put their poppies in their pockets in order to enter (Image: Getty) In the viral video - first shared by Joe Standen, Reform UK councillor for Paulsgrove, on the Spotted Pompey Facebook page - the door steward could be heard telling the veteran: "Really sorry mate, you can't come in with a poppy I'm afraid. It's political." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT When the pubgoer insisted the emblem of remembrance was "not political at all," the doorman replied: "I'm just doing my job". He then advised that patrons could enter only if they removed their poppies and concealed them in their pockets, warning: "Don't put it on inside, because you'll be asked to leave and they won't serve you." The footage prompted immediate political outcry before Wetherspoon issued its clarification. Mr Standen, a former Royal Marines Commando, told the Express: "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! Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . The Royal British Legion distributes over 30 million poppies each year, and last year raised £56.6million for the Armed Forces community (Image: Getty) "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." George Madgwick, Leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, also posted the clip on X, claiming the manager had cited "company policy" to ban the memorial item. The traditional red poppy has served as the UK's universal symbol of remembrance for fallen service personnel since the aftermath of World War 1 . The Royal British Legion distributes over 30 million poppies each year, and last year raised £56.6million for the Armed Forces community. Wetherspoon Remembrance Day Military Pubs and bars Protests Immigration Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments