A mum slammed a Wetherspoons pub after staff refused to serve her son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, because they thought he was drunk.
The ordeal unfolded at the Alexander Graham Bell in Edinburgh last Wednesday (August 3), leaving Ross Wilson, 35, "humiliated".
His mum Karen, who was enjoying a drink with Ross at the time, claims one staff member "smirked" when she explained Ross' learning and mobility difficulties – and now she's on a mission to make sure nobody goes through the same ordeal.
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Karen, 62, told the Daily Record: "I don’t want anyone else to experience what Ross did. I want something put in place to ensure it doesn’t, such as a wristband that a disabled person could wear.
"I tried to explain Ross’ condition but the worker wasn’t interested.
"It’s heartbreaking that he’s treated like this. He was humiliated."
Karen and Ross had met her older son Sean at the watering hole, where she explained her boys had a few glasses of lager before the incident occurred.
She said: "My eldest son went to the bar around 7.30pm to get their last drink before we caught the train home to Newtongrange but was refused because the bar manager stated that Ross was drunk.
"Sean explained that Ross has cerebral palsy but the manager was dismissive and showed no understanding whatsoever.
"Before we left I went to talk to him. I reiterated the fact that Ross had a disability and walked with what is called an ataxic gait, but wasn’t drunk."
Karen even warned the manager that, as a teacher, she was aware of the equalities act and stressed that his behaviour was discriminatory – but she claimed this had no effect on the negligent bartender.
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"He just smirked and refused to give me his name when I told him I was going to make a formal complaint," she added.
Karen later complained to Wetherspoons and threatened to contact both her MP and the Government over the incident.
And while the branch of pubs responded, Karen was unhappy with their response.
"I got a ridiculous response back from their customer services department saying they are satisfied with the way Ross was treated and that he was refused a drink because I was intoxicated," she said.
"I’m teetotal and had two coffees and a soda and lime that day. It’s ridiculous."
She added: "They completely missed the point of my complaint and actually implied it was me that was drunk."
The email she received read: "Having looked into the matter we can conclude that your son was refused service based on the member of staff’s genuine belief that you were intoxicated.
"We are satisfied that this action would be taken with any customer, in these circumstances. I have noted your comments of disappointment with how the matter was addressed.
"I can assure you your comments and observations have been passed to the Area Manager to review and take any necessary action. Thank you again for contacting us. We hope you will visit us again soon."
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told the Daily Record : "Wetherspoon apologises for any inconvenience or upset caused to Mr Wilson."
He added: "Having investigated the matter with the management team, the pub staff mistook the customer's symptoms as possible signs of intoxication.
"Pub staff have a responsibility under licensing laws not to serve alcohol if it is felt that a customer is already intoxicated.
"Mr Wilson was refused service on Wednesday, August 3, due to the member of staff's genuine belief at the time that he was intoxicated. When the member of staff was advised that Mr Wilson suffered from cerebral palsy, he apologised for any upset caused.
"Wetherspoon places great importance on its pubs being welcoming places for all customers and looks forward to Mr Wilson and his family returning as customers in the future."
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