Jedi church founder thrown out of Tesco for refusing to remove his hood was left 'emotionally humiliated'



The founder of the Jedi religion inspired by the Star Wars films was thrown out of a Tesco supermarket for wearing his distinctive brown hood.

Daniel Jones, 23, who has 500,000 followers worldwide, was told the hood flouted store rules and was ordered to remove it or leave the supermarket.

As a result Jones, who also goes by the Jedi name Morda Hehol, claims he has been 'victimised over his beliefs' and left 'emotionally humiliated' by the supermarket in Bangor, North Wales.

Hooded Daniel Jones (right) with his brother Barney at a meeting of their Jedi church in Holyhead, North Wales

Kicked out: Daniel was banned from this Tesco store in Bangor

But Tesco hit back in the spirit of the epic space saga and claimed that the three most well known Jedi Knights in the Star Wars movies - Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker - all appeared in public without their hoods.

Mr Jones, from Holyhead, said his religion dictated that he should wear the hood in public places and is considering legal action against the chain.



'It states in our Jedi doctrination that I can wear headwear. It just covers the back of my head,' he said.



'You have a choice of wearing headwear in your home or at work but you have to wear a cover for your head when you are in public.'

He said he'd gone to the store to buy something to eat during his lunch-break when staff approached him and ordered him to the checkout where they explained he would have to remove the offending hood or leave the store.

'They said: "Take it off", and I said "No, its part of my religion. It's part of my religious right." I gave them a Jedi church business card.'

Mr Jones claimed the store manager and staff were 'unco-operative' and left him feeling 'emotionally humiliated' for making fun of his beliefs.



'They weren't listening to me. They wasted my personal time. They were rude and not very nice to me. They had three people around me. It was intimidating.

Tesco named Luke Skywalker, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi as prime examples of Jedi Knights who managed perfectly well without their hoods





Hooded: The Emperor would not be welcome at Tesco

'It was discrimination. They were making a joke against me. I was really upset. Nobody should be treated like that.

'We have 500,000 members in our church. It is a religion founded in Wales with a scripture and ceremonies'

Mr Jones has made an official complaint to Tesco, is considering a boycott of the store and is seeking legal advice.

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'He hasn't been banned. Jedis are very welcome to shop in our stores although we would ask them to remove their hoods.

'Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker all appeared hoodless without ever going over to the Dark Side and we are only aware of the Emperor as one who never removed his hood.

'If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers.'