This is why the ‘Great’ should be removed from Great Britain. It’s absurd to think that these soldiers, these heroes, are fighting wars on our behalf so we don’t have to, and then they come back here to the UK and are refused a room in a hotel because of a “no military personnel” policy. That’s what happened to Cpl Tomos Stringer.

The hotel has (obviously) said this was the receptionist’s fault and they don’t operate such a policy, but personally I feel that’s the manager passing the blame. Frankly I think a boycott is due. The hotel is the The Metro Hotel, in Woking.

How ashamed they make us ordinary citizens who support the soldiers, feel. What an utter disgrace, our country, our citizens, could learn a great deal from other nations like the US or Canada and the way they treat their soldiers.

From the BBC News page, Derek Twigg, a Defence Minister, said:

“This case is especially egregious given that the individual concerned was on injury leave from Afghanistan and visiting an injured colleague.

“The Government and, it is fair to say, the vast majority of people in this country, hold the professionalism, courage and contribution made by all those who serve, and have served in the armed forces in very high regard.

“I am delighted that the armed forces generally enjoy immense respect and gratitude on the part of the nation and that contrary sentiments are rare, though evidently they exist.”

A spokesman at the Metro Hotel said it was not currently commenting on the incident.