Olympic Louis in Virgin 1st-class race row
OLYMPIAN Louis smith has accused Virgin trains staff of racism after they insisted he show proof of a firstclass ticket.
the team GB gymnast called the situation ‘ political’ and claimed he and another black passenger were the only ones asked to show their tickets by the waiting staff in first class.
he wrote on twitter: ‘ this train journey certainly got a lot more interesting and political.’
when the waiter asked him if he wanted a drink, he declined.
Mr smith continued: ‘he then asks if i have a first-class ticket, i said yes. he said “can i see it?” i said “yes, but don’t you believe me”? i show him, he accepts it and carries on serving.’
the double olympic silver-medallist added that the other black passenger on the Virgin trains east coast service noticed that he and Mr smith were the only ones asked, and confronted the waiter.
the 28-year-old athlete said: ‘the quite upset and understandably intrigued gentleman asks why he’s asked the only two black passengers if they are meant to be in first class.
‘this escalated quickly, is it just a coincidence or not, what do you think?’ he later claimed the waiter said ‘it’s my choice who i ask’ in response.
Mr smith said the other man received an apology from the train manager, who told him that the waiting staff were not even allowed to check tickets. he is the latest celebrity to criticise Virgin train staff on twitter.
earlier this year, tV stylist Gok wan hit out after he was told off for tidying up his firstclass table.
Following an on-board row in February, he posted: ‘after being told off once, now the train manager has now just come up to me and told me off for putting my rubbish in my cup! he said to me, “remember, this is first class”. you can let him i know it’s first class, i bought my ticket.’
a spokesman for Virgin trains east coast said: ‘we’re extremely sorry for the experience of Louis and fellow passengers. we are looking into the incident as a matter of urgency.’
it comes just weeks after transport secretary chris Grayling announced Virgin trains east coast would lose the franchise for failing to deliver financially. the joint venture between Virgin and stagecoach had promised to pay the Government £3.3billion over the eightyear term of the contract, which was originally due to end in 2023. instead, they only paid around £1billion. Mr Grayling said the firms had ‘overbid’ on the franchise, leaving them unable to keep up with payments.