Asian petrol station worker 'refused to serve Afghanistan war veteran because he was in uniform'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

An Asian worker at the garage in Surrey told the shocked soldier he had to change out of his combat fatigues before he could be served.

Witnesses claimed the snub was due to the anti-war views of the employee, but BP said it was the result of a misunderstanding about licensing laws.

Scroll down for more...

Snub: A BP station similar to the one in Surrey which refused to serve alcohol to an Afghanistan war veteran

The soldier is a captain with 16 Air Assault Brigade, some of whom fought the Taliban in Afghanistan last summer.

He was trying to buy beer from the shop at Wisley South service station near Guildford on the A3.

He said the public snub left him humiliated and shamed in front of a dozen other customers.

He asked to remain anonymous in case of reprisal attacks by extremists, but reported the incident to BP and to the Army Families Federation.

Warning: Army chief Sir Richard Dannatt spoke of a 'growing gulf' between the public and armed forces

A spokeswoman for the federation Melanie Pullan told The Sun: "I talked to this officer, and it was very disappointing to hear his experiences. It made our blood boil."

BP apologised to the unnamed officer. A spokeswoman said: "We investigated and believe it was caused by an error in interpreting the licensing laws."

"None of our staff has the right to discriminate on who they serve, regardless of what they are wearing."

She added: "Retraining of staff is now taking place."

The firm said the attendant thought it was illegal to sell alcohol to anyone in uniform, including military personnel.

The incident comes as army chiefs are seeking ways to increase respect for military personnel amongst the public.

General Sir Richard Dannatt last month warned that there was a growing gulf between the public and the Armed Forces.