A GROUP OF Irish Travellers has won a discrimination case against a Wetherspoon’s in London which didn’t let them in.

The Traveller Movement, along with its 18 co-claimants, brought the case to court after a delegates from a conference were refused entry to the Coronet Pub on Holloway Road, north London, five years ago.

Wetherspoon’s has settled the case and has apologised to everyone affected by the incident.

The firm also agreed to pay the legal costs of all claimants.

Stereotype

The judge in the case said the manager of the pub adopted “the stereotypical assumption that Irish Travellers and English gypsies cause disorder wherever they go”.

Chairman of Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, said more is being done to make sure an incident like this doesn’t happen again.

He said: “This is the first time in our 37 year history that a case of discrimination for refusal of entry to a Wetherspoon pub has gone to court. I apologise to those who were not allowed in the Coronet pub and we have put in place improved training and management systems to try to prevent a recurrence.”

Yvonne MacNamara, chief executive of the Traveller Movement and one of the claimants in the case said she hopes the judgement sends a message to publicans that they cannot judge people because they are travellers or gypsies.

She said:

This is a real David vs Goliath story and with any luck will show that no matter how big a company you are, you cannot get away with discrimination.

“We are absolutely delighted that the case is finally settled and I sincerely hope this will be serve as a firm warning to pubs and other service providers across the country that discrimination against gypsies and travellers will no longer be tolerated.”