Pontins discriminated towards Travellers by drawing up a listing of “undesirable” Irish surnames, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has discovered.
The vacation camp operator dedicated “flagrant breaches of the Equality Act” in accordance with the EHRC, which investigated after a whistleblower revealed the apply in 2020.
Pontins, owned by Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, was additionally discovered to have instructed name centre workers to pay attention for Irish accents after which decline or cancel their bookings and to have maintained a “banned guest” listing of individuals suspected to be Irish Travellers.
The firm additionally launched guidelines requiring visitors to be on the electoral roll, a apply discovered to be discriminatory towards Gypsies and Travellers, who’re much less prone to be registered.
The EHRC performed an investigation into the agency, and has now ordered it to apologise to the neighborhood and introduce equality coaching, or else the corporate may face prison expenses.
Commenting on the investigation, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, stated: “Our investigation into Pontins uncovered flagrant breaches of the Equality Act 2010.
“Their enterprise practices demonstrated stunning overt race discrimination in the direction of Irish Travellers and there was a tradition of denial.
“”We stay deeply involved about these discriminatory practices. They have been instigated and supported by senior managers and their management didn’t take any motion or settle for company accountability.
“Such unlawful and discriminatory behaviour is completely unacceptable, and it must never be tolerated.”
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Chris McDonagh, Campaigns Officer at Friends, Families and Travellers, stated: “It is deeply saddening that Irish Traveller people have become so used to hate and prejudice that the Pontins ‘blacklist’ did not come as a surprise.
“Whilst we’re sure that Pontins aren’t the one ones working such discriminatory insurance policies, we welcome the EHRC’s investigation and commend the whistleblower’s principled stance.
“Everyone deserves to live free from hate and prejudice.”
Pontins proprietor, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, stated in a press release: “We are in the process of reviewing the unlawful act notice and investigation report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
“The particular incidents reported by the EHRC are historic points predating 2018.
“The call centre where the incidents took place has closed and the majority of the staff involved have now left Pontins.
“We apologise to all who might have been affected. Pontins is dedicated to making sure ongoing compliance with the Equality Act 2010.”
Source: information.sky.com”