Protesters plaster Gosport Wetherspoon pub in poppies after veterans were turned away for wearing a 'political symbol'

Veterans wearing poppies were refused entry to The Star in Gosport, Hampshire, on Sunday, with a manager telling the group a "blanket ban" covered anything "perceived as political." Councillor George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, said the group had been out campaigning and described their treatment as "disgusting and shameful." Wetherspoon denied operating a poppy ban, claiming extra security was in place due to local demonstrations, but acknowledged poppy-wearers were among those turned away.

Veteran Scott Schillemore was among those refused entry despite wearing no party logos or flags.

Dozens of protesters responded by plastering the pub's windows and signage with poppy stickers as crowds gathered outside waving Union Jacks and St George Cross flags.

One banner in the crowd read 'Traitors' as protesters declared the Gosport Wetherspoon was 'getting a taste of its own medicine.'