A story which broke in yesterday's Portsmouth News - and now followed up in today's Mail, Express and Telegraph - puts a black mark against the name of pub chain J D Wetherspoon.
Two marines - aged 21 and 22 - had just returned to Britain from Afghanistan and fancied a well-deserved pint or two at a Wetherspoon pub in Portsmouth.
But they were challenged over their age by a doorman, asked to provide ID, and on showing their military ID were promptly told that the pub did not recognise it as a valid means of identity: only a passport, driving licence or "UK citizen card" would do.
On explaining that their other ID was still in Afghanistan, they were refused entry into the pub.
They are angry about it, and rightly so. I imagine most people would also take the view that the pub company's policy needs to be changed - and fast.
If they don't see sense, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a campaign being organised to boycott the chain.
