Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has called on British holiday company, Britannia Hotel Group, to take urgent action following revelations by a whistleblower that the company was operating an anti-Irish and anti-Traveller policy. 

The Fermanagh South Tyrone MP said:

“A whistle bowler within British holiday park company, Pontins, claimed that the company were operating a list of ‘undesirable guests’.

“An investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found the company had been using a list of mainly Irish surnames as part of a policy of refusing bookings to Travellers. 

“It is deeply concerning and quite frankly infuriating that in 2021, anti-Irish and anti-Traveller racism continues in Britain.

“This blacklist harks back to a time when posters barring Irish people were displayed in bars, hotels and other public establishments across Britain. 

“The Britannia Hotel Group, who own Pontins, must immediately ensure that those responsible for composing this blacklist are held fully accountable and that all forms of discrimination are eradicated from its business practices.”