Dad's fury at being told to remove hood by Tesco
Supermarket giant Tesco was today accused of double standards after a Shropshire man was told he would be booted out of the store if he did not remove a hoodie - even though he had bought it from there.
Supermarket giant Tesco was today accused of double standards after a Shropshire man was told he would be booted out of the store if he did not remove a hoodie - even though he had bought it from there.
Tim Mulloy, of Peacehaven, Berwick Grange, Shrewsbury, said he was flabbergasted by the attitude of security staff at the Tesco Extra store in Harlescott, who warned him to take off his hood or be forcibly removed.
Mr Mulloy, 44, said he was given a dressing down by officials on Wednesday despite it being a freezing cold day and other customers were wearing hats.
He said he complained to store bosses, who told him it was their policy to request that his hoodie was taken down.
The father of two said he was furious at the way he was treated and claimed it was discriminatory to target people wearing the garment.
But Tesco bosses today said they were well within their rights, labelling it a "security issue".
Mr Mulloy said: "I was taking back a jacket I had bought for my wife.
"I was at the reception desk when one of the security guards came up to me and told me to remove my hood.
"I said 'what's the difference of me wearing this hoodie and people with those hats that come down the side of your face?' But he said 'if you don't remove it we will forcibly remove you from the store'."
Mr Mulloy said he could understand the policy if it applied to all headgear including crash helmets, burkas and veils, but claimed the company was being unreasonable.
He said: "I could understand it if I was wearing it up in the middle of July as that would be suspicious but not in winter when it's -2C outside.
"They are saying people can't wear hoodies but they are quite prepared to sell one to me — it's double standards."
Tony Fletcher, spokesman for Tesco, today said the store was within its rights to ask Mr Mulloy to remove the hoodie.
He said: "It depends how the hoodie is being worn but if it is covering the face then we would ask people to remove them.
"We don't want to cause offence but it's a security issue and we want to ensure that we are protecting ourselves and everyone else," he added.
By Russell Roberts
