A woman wearing a Union Jack dress was refused entry to a Wetherspoon pub in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, during an anti-illegal immigration protest on Friday, July 25. Tanya Ostolski, 54, said she was initially turned away for carrying a St George's cross flag, and later because of her dress.
Ostolski claimed she regularly visits The Picture House pub and was not being aggressive. She said: 'I put the flag back in my bag, and they said I can't come in because of my dress.' She expressed disgust at the decision, stating the flag represents the nation.
A Wetherspoon spokesperson confirmed the pub manager asked customers not to enter with flags or placards to avoid increasing tensions. The chain has a known 'no-flags' policy, though it was relaxed during the men's Euro 2024 championship.
The protest, sparked by unverified claims from MP Lee Anderson about a rape case involving an asylum seeker, began around 4.30pm and lasted two hours. A counter-protest also took place. Most demonstrators had dispersed by 7pm.
