Veteran turned away from Wetherspoon over 'poppy' explains comment that caused 'upset'

The veteran at the centre of a viral video where he appeared to be turned away from a Wetherspoon pub for wearing a poppy has spoken of his confusion over the situation.

Yesterday, a video showing armed forces veteran Scott Schillemore being refused entry to The Star pub in Gosport did the rounds online, leading to claims that the popular pub chain had banned the remembrance symbol.

A spokesperson for Wetherspoons has since clarified that poppies are not banned at the pub chain, but that temporary security measures put in place after anti-migrant protests in the town meant that customers were prohibited from wearing any symbol which could be deemed political.

Schillemore has now spoken out about his experience, telling the BBC that he'd visited the pub after hearing about friends who'd been turned away for wearing poppies.

Veteran Scott Schillemore has since spoken out about the incident (Handout)

"We were in disbelief, so we made our way down there just because it's one of those things you don't really hear of," the 33-year-old said, adding that bouncers on the door had 'point-blank refused' him entry.

In the clip which went viral online, the manager of the pub then came out to speak to Schillemore and his friends, explaining that there was a blanket ban on any symbol which could be interpreted as political.

"That group down there - if they've got pride flag badges we'll also be turning them away," the man can be heard saying in the video. "It's fair for everybody, it is blanket, full stop."

The Royal British Legion has always insisted that the poppy is not a political symbol but instead an act of remembrance for military personnel who died in WWI and subsequent conflicts.

Schillemore, who confirmed that he was not part of the protests going on in the Hampshire town, added that it was the mention of the poppy which he took offence to.

"The door staff at the time only had to say 'Fellas, not today', and that could have been it," he said.

"It was at the point that he said that the poppies was the reason and that's what upset us all."

The outside of a Wetherspoons pub called The Star (Google Maps)

Wetherspoons responds to poppy ban claims

Responding to the story, a spokesperson for Wetherspoons provided the following statement yesterday (26 October): "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 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."