Wetherspoon's 'poppy ban' explained as army 'political' veteran refused entry

A veteran was turned away from a Wetherspoon after the poppy he was wearing was deemed "political". Video footage of the exchange in which the pubgoer is refused entry by security has been widely circulated on social media. In the clip, the veteran, who is recording , is informed by staff that the poppy is "political" and he wouldn't be served while wearing it. The staff member clarifies to the veteran that it's a blanket policy which encompasses anything that could be viewed as political. The incident is understood to have taken place at The Star, in Gosport, on Sunday afternoon (25 October). The town was also the location of a 400-strong anti-immigrant protest which marched through its streets. In a statement, Wetherspoon say there's no prohibition on poppies in their pubs, noting that "some standard security measures were implemented due to the demonstrations in the tow,." reports the Manchester Evening News . In footage posted on Facebook, the doorman begins by stating: "It's blanket, anything that could, not saying it is, but could be perceived as political, is no." He added: "With that group down there, if they come down with pride flag badges, we'll also be turning those away." In the clip, the Spoons doorman also stated: "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," the doorman responds: "I'm just doing my job." He then clarifies how the gentleman can access the pub if they remove their poppies and place them in their pockets. He added: "But don't put it on inside. Because you'll be asked to leave and they won't serve you." The clip was uploaded by Joe Standen, the Reform UK councillor for Paulsgrove, on the Spotted Pompey Facebook page. Additional footage was also posted by George Madgwick, Leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, on X. Mr Standen told the Daily 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!" He added: "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." Meanwhile, Mr 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 spokesperson for the pub chain 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 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 5pm and remains closed today. We apologise to any regular customers who have been inconvenienced by today's events and look to forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow." Poppies serve as a symbol of remembrance, honouring Armed Forces personnel who served and gave their lives in military conflicts. The custom of sporting a poppy stretches back to the aftermath of WWI. Additional demonstrations took place in Gosport this weekend, as anti-migrant protesters marched through the town, from the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) towards the town square. This follows the arrival of migrants from two vessels in Hampshire over recent months. Previously, upwards of 100 protesters had congregated in the town after reports emerged that migrants were being relocated there. They were, however, ultimately redirected to Dover.