A shocking discovery in 2021 revealed that one chain of popular UK holiday parks once banned customers with 40 common Irish surnames.
After being contacted by a whistle-blower in 2021, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigated allegations that British holiday park operator Pontins was discriminating against customers based on their Irish surnames.
The investigation was first reported by i News in March 2021. At the time, the EHRC said Pontins had an “undesirable guests” list that included mainly Irish surnames, including Gallagher, O’Donnell, O’Reilly, and Murphy, to name a few.
UK holiday park banned customers with Irish surnames – direct discrimination
The EHRC said that Pontins had staff monitor calls and refuse or cancel bookings made by people with an Irish accent or surname.
Pontins was also said to use its commercial vehicle policy, which bans motorhomes and caravans, to exclude travellers from its various sites.
By refusing services to guests of a certain race or ethnic group, Pontins was “directly discriminating on the basis of race” and breached the 2010 Equality Act, the EHRC said.
The EHRC declined to say how long Pontins had the policy in place, but according to i News, the exclusionary list was used for at least six years.
At the time of the discovery, a spokesperson for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said such discrimination was “completely unacceptable”.
Modern discrimination – a shocking discovery in today’s society
Executive Director at EHRC, Alastair Pringle, said, “It is hard not to draw comparisons with an ‘undesirable guests’ list and the signs displayed in hotel windows fifty years ago, explicitly barring Irish people and Black people.
“Banning people from services based on their race is discrimination and is unlawful. To say that such policies are outdated is an understatement.
“It is right to challenge such practices and any business that believes this is acceptable should think again before they find themselves facing legal action.”
Sarah Mann, Director at the charity Friends, Families and Travellers, said it was “shameful” for Pontins to have behaved in such a way.
“Our thanks go to the Pontin’s whistle-blower for doing the right thing and to the Equality and Human Rights Commission for using their powers.
“We all have a choice when we see discrimination – to stand by or to challenge it. Nobody should be treated differently because of their ethnicity.”
The banned surnames – 40 common Irish surnames
The following Irish surnames were banned by the company:
Boylan, Boyle, Carney, Carr, Cash, Connors, Corcoran, Delaney, Doherty, Dorran, Gallagher, Horan, Keefe, Kell, Leahy, Lee, Maclaughlin, McAlwick, McCully, McDonagh, McGinley, McGinn, McGuinness, McHarg, McLaughan, McMahon, Millighan, Mongans, Murphy, Nolan, O’Brien, O’Connell, O’Donnell, O’Donoghue, O’Mahoney, O’Reilly, Sheriadan, Stokes, Walch and Ward.
After this discovery of discrimination came to light, the Britannia Hotel Group, which has owned Pontins since 2011, signed an agreement with the EHRC promising to end the practice.
The company’s owner said it would “enhance staff training and procedures” at the firm and would take measures “to promote equality throughout its business”.
