A British holiday company has been ordered to apologise after it banned people with ‘undesirable’ Irish surnames from making bookings.

Staff at Pontins were told to listen out for Irish accents and had a list of Irish surnames circulated to them which they were told not to take bookings from. 

The company also introduced a rule mandating that guests were on the British electoral roll - a policy that discriminated against Irish Travellers and Gypsies as they are less likely than the average British resident to be registered. 

The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission has found that the policy was in place to discriminate against Travellers.

Pontins has been ordered to apologise to the Traveller community and carry out equality training. If it refuses to comply, it could face criminal charges.

"Their business practices demonstrated shocking, overt race discrimination towards Irish Travellers and there was a culture of denial,” EHRC Chairwoman Kishwer Falkner said. 

"We remain deeply concerned about these discriminatory practices. 

“They were instigated and supported by senior managers and their leadership failed to take any action or accept corporate responsibility.

"Such unlawful and discriminatory behaviour is completely unacceptable and it must never be tolerated."

'Not the only ones'

Friends, Families and Travellers Campaigns Officer Chris McDonagh said the discrimination Pontins’ guests had suffered was “deeply saddening” but also unsurprising. 

"Whilst we are certain that Pontins are not the only ones operating such discriminatory policies, we welcome the EHRC's investigation and commend the whistleblower's principled stance,” he said. 

"Everyone deserves to live free from hate and prejudice."

Pontins holiday park in Camber Sands, East Sussex.

In a statement, Pontins’ owner, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, said they were reviewing the EHRC report. 

"The specific incidents reported by the EHRC are historic issues predating 2018,” a spokesperson said. 

"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 may have been affected. Pontins is committed to ensuring ongoing compliance with the Equality Act 2010."

Irish Travellers continue to experience racism and discrimination not experienced by most members of the settled community.

Main image: Pontins holiday camp. Picture by: Alamy.com