Pontins discriminated against Travellers by drawing up a list of “undesirable” Irish surnames, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has found.
The holiday camp operator committed “flagrant breaches of the Equality Act” according to the EHRC, which investigated after a whistleblower revealed the practice in 2020.
Pontins, owned by Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, was also found to have instructed call centre staff to listen for Irish accents and then decline or cancel their bookings and to have maintained a “banned guest” list of people suspected to be Irish Travellers.
The company also introduced rules requiring guests to be on the electoral roll, a practice found to be discriminatory against Gypsies and Travellers, who are less likely to be registered.
The EHRC conducted an investigation into the firm, and has now ordered it to apologise to the community and introduce equality training, or else the company could face criminal charges.
Commenting on the investigation, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Our investigation into Pontins uncovered flagrant breaches of the Equality Act 2010.
“Their business practices demonstrated shocking overt race discrimination towards Irish Travellers and there was a culture of denial.
“”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.”
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Chris McDonagh, Campaigns Officer at Friends, Families and Travellers, said: “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 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.
“Everyone deserves to live free from hate and prejudice.”
Pontins owner, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, said in a statement: “We are in the process of reviewing the unlawful act notice and investigation report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
“The specific incidents reported by the EHRC are historic issues 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 may have been affected. Pontins is committed to ensuring ongoing compliance with the Equality Act 2010.”