Wetherspoon says poppies are not banned after Gosport entry dispute

JD Wetherspoon said it has no ban on poppies after footage showed a veteran being refused entry to The Star in Gosport. The company said security restrictions were in place during local demonstrations and the pub closed on police advice.

• Footage from The Star in Gosport showed a door steward telling a veteran he could not enter while wearing a poppy; the steward described it as political.· 1 source
• Wetherspoon said its pubs do not ban poppies and that poppies were available for sale at The Star.· 2 sources
• The company said security measures were in place because of demonstrations and that some people, including poppy wearers, were not admitted.· 1 source
• Wetherspoon said the pub closed to all customers at 17:00 on police advice and would reopen the following day.· 2 sources
• The reports say around 400 anti-immigration or anti-migrant demonstrators were in the area; Hampshire Police said protests passed without incident and no arrests were made.· 2 sources