Hotel sorry for turning away Criccieth soldier

Sep 5 2008 By Gwenno Gwilym

A HOTEL has apologised after a Criccieth soldier, injured in Afghanistan, was forced to sleep in his car after he was told that it was company policy to turn away members of the armed forces.

Corporal Thomas Stringer, from Pentrefelin, near Criccieth, was back home on leave from a six month stint in Afghanistan, after he suffered a broken wrist while under fire.

While on leave he decided to go to Surrey to visit the family of a friend who was killed in action.

He had already made a provisional booking at the Metro hotel in Woking but when he showed his military pass on arrival he was informed by staff that it was company policy to turn away members of the armed forces.

Hywel Williams, Plaid MP for Caernarfon, said: "It is unacceptable and outrageous that anyone is discriminated against in this way."

A spokesperson from the Metro Hotel said: "The hotel sincerely regrets any upset caused towards Corporal Stringer and his family following the incident at the Hotel in June this year.

"The hotel management has always had an open door policy to all its visitors and guests, including members of the military and armed forces and will continue to do so.

"On this particular occasion there was a mistake made by a duty receptionist and the hotel management sincerely apologises for that mistake."