image

I was appalled to read about the store in Wigan which has banned its staff from wearing a poppy, and even threatened disciplinary action if its wishes were ignored.

This kind of insensitivity is impossible to understand, particularly following reports that five of our soldiers have just been slaughtered in Afghanistan. It shows appalling judgement.

I hope that owners of the toiletries store Bodycare will have a quick change of heart – and even place a collection box with a generous donation on its counter in memory of our servicemen and women who died in action on our  behalf.

If they refuse, my advice would be for the heroic local veterans whose anger has been inflamed by the store’s indifference – after being told that the pin would damage the uniform – to rally their comrades and stand outside the store with their own collection box and poppies until the owners are shamed into submission.

I can’t believe it would take long; this kind of publicity cannot be good for business.

Pic courtesy of Eros Hoagland/The Times