Navigation

Primary Navigation

Secondary Navigation

Editor's Corner

Back to Editor's Corner home

Search

No room at the inn for injured soldier

Thu Sep 04 02:38PM

A British soldier on leave after being injured in Afghanistan has been refused a room in a Surrey hotel just because he is in the army.

The BBC has reported that Corporal Tomos Stringer, 23, from Gwynedd in Wales, was visiting an injured friend near Woking when he was turned away from the Metro Hotel.

Corporal Stringer, of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, was asked to provide a form of identification to book the room and when he presented his military pass he was told that it was management policy not to accept Armed Forces as guests.

Stringer, who injured his wrist falling out of a truck while coming under fire in Afghanistan, was forced to spend the night in his car.

He has now returned to Afghanistan but his mother, Gaynor Stringer, was so upset over the way he was treated by the hotel she wrote to MP Hywel Williams.

Mrs Stringer has also voiced her disappointment over how soldiers are treated in Britain compared to in the United States.

"We've been to America and their military get treated like heroes over there. I think it's terrible they [UK Armed Forces] can't even wear their uniform with pride."

Police were called to the hotel Thursday after the hotel's management claimed it had been receiving threatening and abusive phone calls.

A spokesman for Surrey police said: "Officers were called to the scene because of claims of abusive, offensive and threatening phone calls towards the Metro Hotel. We will monitor the calls to see if an offence has occured, if it has then we can trace the calls and further action will be taken."

The Metro Hotel, which is owned by American Amusements Ltd, has issued an apologetic statement saying the incident "was a mistake".

Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth has written to the Metro Hotel management demanding a more detailed explanation.

Comments41 - 50 of 1350

I shall make sure through my contacts that this hotel will have fewer
guests in the future.
OAP from Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey.

From nina.fassnidge on Thu Sep 04 03:10PM
Report abuse
Hit them where it will hurt the most. A fine in the region of say £1M for discrimination?

From tom_jacqui_duffy on Thu Sep 04 03:10PM
Report abuse
As an ex service man it saddens me that this can happen .Who do the management of the Metro hotel think they are! .Shame them on national TV make them explain their reasons. If this had happened to a visiting Afghanistan business man they would have been prosecuted for racism I call to every one to boycott this hotel

From mark.williams29 on Thu Sep 04 03:11PM
Report abuse
if a sikh girl can wear a bangle in a british school after a high court overturned the governors decision, why cannot a british soldier who protects queen and country stay in a british hotel. Utterly disgusting, it will make sure every serving soldier and all their families and friends do not use this hotel i am sure, hope it closes down with lack of business

From sdavies.homestartmerthyrtydfil on Thu Sep 04 03:11PM
Report abuse
Everyone has there own opinion, you might think that he is a hero but for someone else he can just be a rapist or a killer. In America also they dont treat them as heroes. Remember when they return from Vietnam what happens to them may also happens to returning soldiers from Iraq and Afganistan. I personally have no problem with them because there are worst people then them but I would not join Military unless there is a real threat of invading my country. I think Surrey hotel had guts and I will always appreciate people who are not intimidated by such fools who calls for boycotting them. These people who calls for boycotting a Business are nothing but Stupid. They should think before opening their big mouth. i think Hotel had their own policy and people should respect it.

From sfriend34 on Thu Sep 04 03:11PM
Report abuse
I agree no one should give this Hotel business

From masowork on Thu Sep 04 03:12PM
Report abuse
This Country is a joke!!!!!!
Hotel policy?
living costs are a joke now soldiers cannot book into hotels
BROWN GET A GRIPP

From peirson_craig on Thu Sep 04 03:12PM
Report abuse
It is part of "The Big Apple Group", who have facilities worth boycotting across the country.
You can tell them what you think at http://www.thebigapple.co.uk/contact.php

From david.a.hollins on Thu Sep 04 03:12PM
Report abuse
Brown speak out in defence of our armed forces? He can't even be bothered to turn up when the bodies of our troops come home.
An ex member of the RAF and proud of it.

From davidwindebank on Thu Sep 04 03:13PM
Report abuse
tweeky_101 are you stupid, each soldier takes an allegiance to serve both queen and country duh

From sdavies.homestartmerthyrtydfil on Thu Sep 04 03:13PM
Report abuse