Tommy Robinson asked to leave a restaurant because staff felt uncomfortable serving him…

[harriethoyle]

… AIBU to enjoy this?!

If you spout objectionable views, don’t be surprised if people object to you!

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tommy-robinson-kicked-out-hawksmoor-london-b1231594.html

Do whatever you like.

Digging everywhere, making holes, scattering old pots hither and thither. Drat the man! Burn him! 🤣

If you own the business then yes, you can choose your customers as you wish.

Protected characteristics don’t give us a line and they only work in the context of discrimination. They offer legal protection against discrimination. Your argument suggests that if you don’t have a protected characteristic then there is no line and anything can be done to you.

It’s also more nuanced than bringing in discrimination legislation. There are plenty of situations prior to reaching actual discrimination where a similar thing may happen. That’s the bit that doesn’t sit right with me.

@MiloMinderbinder925 He had a cunning plan

This is the UK in 2025, freedom of speech as a pillar of democracy is an ancient memory, and most people are quite happy with that. While they feel they hold the power of course, wait until reform win an election and see them change their minds.

But do we live on a country were that happens? I despise SYL but, it could have easily have been JK Rowling based on how trans people are treated globally.
If what he has said is within the law, then he shouldn't be denied service.

this is why I wish we still had the laughing emoji 😂

It's a private business. If they don't want to serve a white nationalist that is their right.

To force a private business to serve someone is dictatorial.

Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from the consequnces of that speech. If TR has a right to express his disgusting views publicly, then people (and businesses) have a right to decide they don't want to associate with someone who holds those views.

I'm Jewish, where are we not being allowed access into and what has it got to do with this? 🤔I don't particularly want to see being Jewish being aligned with being Tommy Robinson thank you very much.

He is a bit of a nuisance.

But the staff there don't own the business do they, they will be employees.

I bet half of them didn't even know who he was until they were informed and then they became offended.

Here's the thing, you are employed to do a job, if that job offends you, or puts you into meltdown, or triggers you, then maybe waiting on isn't the job for you!

He’s the only dangerous convicted criminal on your list with more proceedings pending (in court yesterday charged with harassment to cause fear of violence against two journalists)

The last two are protected characteristics.

If you support freedom of speech and expression almost absolutely, then this is horrific.

If you support the idea that anyone can refuse to serve whoever they like for their beliefs or any other reason then this is great, but you might end up not getting served because you are a tory or you have a tattoo.

If you support the current law, then whether this is good or bad depends on whether you think TRs beliefs are worthy of respect in a democratic society, and given how many people share, and given they do not directly impinge on the rights of others, them I am sure they are. In which case the restaurant broke the law

OK but Nelson Mandela went to prison.

It's not up to you to say he "shouldn't be denied service", it's up to the individual business owner to decide who they will and will not sell their product to.

Also can we not have just one thread that isn't about JKR and trans people!

Posie's beliefs are protected, as is her sex and sexual orietnation - she cannot be kicked out for being a woman, being right on women's rights, or for being straight.

I certainly wouldn't serve a Christian who was a convicted football hooligan, espoused racist views, incited violence and whose criminal record included kicking a police officer in the head because he intervened in a domestic abuse incident.

Establishments can and do bar people for their behaviour, public image or even their choice of clothing all the time. If a nightclub can throw you out for wearing trainers, I'm pretty sure a restaurant can throw you out for being a total cunt.

Being Tommy Robinson isn't a protected characteristic.

But he is known for being violent and for having a hair trigger. Can you not understand that they were afraid?

Many of us only know about the law on protected beliefs due to the women's rights / LGB rights issue.

Totally agree.

@neverbeenskiing you talk a lot of sense and I entirely agree - on both of your recent posts!

I think as long as he and his dinner companions are quietly minding their own business they should be allowed to eat their dinner in peace. The minute that doesn't happen they should then be asked to leave.

I'd also be making a mental note not to visit that particular shop (easily done).