Hotel that hosted far-right conference is blasted on social media
A UK hotel says it was duped into hiring out a meeting room to far-right group Britain First and was ‘deeply offended’ when it found out who the delegates actually were.
Wyboston Lakes resort in Bedfordshire defended itself against a social media backlash after pictures emerged online of the five-hour meeting, which took place on Saturday.
The images showed the room decked out in banners saying ‘Taking our country back’.
But the hotel said Britain First booked the £2,250 room under a different name for its conference.
A spokesman for the hotel said the five-hour meeting was booked at short notice under the name Patriot Merchandise.
Wyboston Lakes released a statement on Sunday evening to say: "Had we known the nature of the event being held by Britain First, we would not have taken the booking, as the values of our organisation conflicts with theirs in totality.
"We can fully understand the concerns expressed, but we can only refer to our company values and principles, our standing as an award-winning employer and assure everyone that we are deeply offended by their presence on our property."
Dozens of people took to social media to criticise the hotel complex, which is popular among golfers. Some have urged a boycott of the resort.
When the images first came to light, Wyboston Lakes responded to messages on twitter saying: "We sold a small meeting room on 02/12/17 at the last minute.
"This was not booked by Britain First and the name given did not arouse any suspicions.
"As a company that is proudly diverse and embracing of all cultures and nationalities, we are unhappy to have been associated."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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