Tony Daniels, a 73-year-old retired builder from Mossley Hill, Liverpool, claims he was asked to leave an Asda supermarket in Widnes town centre on June 18 after a dispute over hiring a mobility scooter. The grandfather-of-nine, who has cancer and uses two walking sticks, said he was 'surrounded' by security guards after refusing to provide his name and address to use one of the store's scooters.
Details of the Incident
Tony said he asked to use a mobility scooter at the Asda on Widnes Road, but a security guard told him he needed to give his name and address. He refused, stating that he is not asked for such details when shopping at his local Asda on Smithdown Road in Liverpool. When he asked to speak to a manager, he said he was quickly surrounded by three to four security guards.
Tony recounted: 'He went on his walkie-talkie, and the next minute, I was surrounded by three to four security guards. I am disabled and on two sticks. I have a lot of health issues, and cancer is the latest one I've got.' He added that the manager's first words to him were, 'I don't like your attitude, and I'm going to tell you to leave. We want you to leave now.'
Impact on Tony
Tony described the experience as 'horrible' and said it has knocked him back significantly. He said: 'It wasn't so much that I couldn't get the buggy to do my shopping, but the way I was treated. I'm disabled, I wasn't a threat to anybody.' He noted that at his local Asda in Liverpool, staff are always helpful and never ask for personal details. 'I just ask for a buggy, and they say, 'No problem.' They help me with my packing and shopping.'
The incident left him feeling upset and distressed. 'I'm 73, on two walking sticks, I can barely breathe, and I thought I was going to have a hypo in the store,' he said.
Asda's Response
An Asda spokesperson explained the company's policy: 'To ensure colleague and customer safety, we politely ask anyone using a mobility scooter in store to provide a few details and, where needed, use one of our in-store scooters. This is standard across all our stores and is something we ask of all customers using a mobility scooter, always with the best intentions and with the safety of all customers in mind.'
Asda said they have written to Tony to explain the policy and remain open to speaking with him directly if he has further questions.
