Protesters Cover Pub in Poppies After Veterans Denied Entry for Wearing Remembrance Symbol

Furious protesters have covered a Wetherspoon pub in poppies after veterans were reportedly refused entry for wearing the remembrance symbol. Demonstrators placed poppy stickers on the sign and storefront of The Star in Gosport, Hampshire, after members of a group, including military veterans, were allegedly told to remove their poppies before entering the establishment on Sunday afternoon.

A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, showed two hooded individuals on tables outside the pub applying the stickers. The clip was captioned, "It looks like the Gosport Wetherspoons are getting a taste of their own medicine."

Wetherspoon has stated that there is no ban on poppies in its pubs and that the establishment had been supporting the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal for many years, with poppies being sold at the Gosport pub. The company attributed the entry restrictions to security arrangements in place due to demonstrations in the town. Wetherspoon acknowledged that some customers wearing poppies were among those refused entry during this period.

Councillor George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, was part of the group seeking to enter the pub after campaigning. He described the treatment as "disgusting and shameful." Mr. Madgwick told the Daily Mail that the group was wearing ordinary clothes without any political logos or branding. "A couple of the men were veterans wearing poppies," he said. "When we reached the door, security told us we couldn't come in wearing poppies and asked us to remove them. The explanation was that it was company policy."

Veteran Scott Schillemore, who was also in the group, expressed his shock at being denied entry.

Footage from the incident showed a security guard explaining the policy: "Anything that could be perceived as political, it's a no. It's blanket. Today it is blanket. Anyone wearing anything that could be perceived – it is no... It's fair for everybody, it's blanket. Full stop."

Mr. Madgwick reported that both security staff and the manager cited the same reason. He found the manager's comparison of poppies to pride flags to be "outrageous," asserting that "The poppy shouldn't be political. Veterans and people who remember them come from every political persuasion, party and belief."

The confrontation occurred on Sunday, October 25, coinciding with an anti-immigration march and a counter-demonstration in Gosport. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary estimated that between 500 and 550 people attended the two events, which concluded without incident and no arrests.

Mr. Madgwick emphasized that the pub was about half a mile from the protest sites and that his group displayed no elements identifying them with either demonstration. "There was a peaceful protest about half a mile away, and a counter-protest was also taking place," he said. "But the people at the pub weren't carrying flags or banners, and there was nothing to indicate they were part of either protest."

A crowd gathered outside the pub, and police arrived at the scene. Mr. Madgwick added, "I'm disgusted. The poppy should never be used as a political statement or as a reason to judge someone negatively. It represents remembrance and respect for those who died serving our country and the Commonwealth. It is just shameful really that this has happened."

Responding to the incident, Wetherspoon stated, "There is no ban on poppies in Wetherspoon pubs." The company further noted that its pubs sell poppies and collectively raise approximately £60,000 annually for the Poppy Appeal.

The pub closed to all customers at 5 p.m. on police advice, with plans to reopen the following day. Wetherspoon extended an apology to regular customers inconvenienced by the events.

The Royal British Legion defines the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance, support for the Armed Forces community, and hope for a peaceful future, stating that it has no political or religious meaning and its wear is a personal choice.