- Harehills Labour Club was criticised for ordering the veteran to remove his beret
- The man had just paid his respects at a memorial before going to the Leeds club
- But he was ordered to remove his beret on entering because of the club’s policy
- Now locals are outraged and are demanding the club apologise to the veteran
- Are you the veteran? Were you there? Email stewart.paterson@mailonline.co.uk or call 02036 152 328
The veteran was told that he wold have to remove his beret before entering the club, where members of the Labour Party hold meetings
A club has been slammed for ordering a decorated veteran to remove his beret on Remembrance Sunday — because they have a ‘no hat policy’.
The veteran had been paying his respects at a war memorial in Harehills, Leeds, before moving on to Harehills Labour Club.
But the ex-soldier – who had five medals pinned to his chest – was told that he wold have to remove his beret before entering the club, where members of the Labour Party hold meetings.
The ‘outrageous’ policy angered locals, including Emma Bainbridge, whose father met the veteran while at the cenotaph.
She said: ‘This is absolutely outrageous and they should be ashamed of themselves.’
Lisa Casey added: ‘Please, this is not a hat it’s a symbol of the regiment he was honouring today.’
But the club’s assistant secretary has defended asking the unnamed man to remove his beret.
She told MailOnline: ‘The club has a rule that nothing can be worn on your head at all.
The veteran had been paying his respects at a war memorial in Harehills, Leeds, before moving on to Harehill Labour Club (pictured)
‘He was asked to remove it. He was not turned away.
‘When he came in he was signed in by someone — a member can sign in two guests.
‘Someone mentioned to me that he had his hat on — the lady who signed him in. I asked the lady who signed him in to ask him to take his hat off.’
The assistant secretary said the veteran then entered her office to asked whether he could join the club.
She added: ‘I gave him an application form and he apologised for wearing his hat.
‘It’s just a rule of the club. Every club has its own rules. It does not matter what they have got on their heads. All I’m doing is following instructions.’
Outraged locals are demanding the club apologise for ordering the veteran to remove his beret
The club’s assistant secretary said the veteran later came into her office to apologise for wearing the hat and to pick up a membership form
However locals are demanding the club apologise for ordering the veteran to remove his beret.
Christina King said: ‘Unbelievable! He should be given a very full and public apology from the person who asked him and the club committee and steward – their staff should have more respect.’
Susan Traynor added: ‘How disgusting. No respect shown to a wonderful gentleman.’