Full list of ‘undesirable’ Irish surnames Pontins used to discriminate against Travellers

Pontins Holiday Camp has been found to have discriminated against Travellers by having a list of “undesirable” Irish Surnames, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found.

The holiday camp provider committed “flagrant breaches of the Equality Act” according to the EHRC report, which came to light following a whistleblower exposure in 2021.

In March 2020, EHRC received information from a whistleblower that Britannia Jinky Jersey Limited (trading as Pontins) had discriminated against Gypsies and Travellers.

Some of this discrimination specifically targeted Irish Travellers, while other discriminatory policies were aimed at Gypsies and Travellers more broadly.

The whistleblower disclosed an ‘Undesirable Guest List’ with 40 names of Irish origin and Pontins used this list and other information to identify suspected Gypsy and Traveller guests, and then cancel or refuse their bookings.

Workers were also reportedly trained to listen out for Irish accents in order to identify and decline these bookings. Another rule required guests to be on the voting register, which could disadvantage Travellers who are less likely to be registered.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, who leads the EHRC, detailed the commission’s findings: “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.

They added: “We hope this report communicates a strong message that discrimination can never be tolerated. We will take action against it. This may include launching an investigation.

“The report also highlights the discrimination that Gypsies and Travellers still face today. We hope this investigation represents a key step forward in making discrimination against Gypsies and Travellers unacceptable in Great Britain.”

Pontins owner, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, said in a statement to Sky News: “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.”

Full list of names blacklisted by Pontins:

Boylan

Boyle

Carney

Carr

Cash

Connors

Corcoran

Delaney

Doherty

Dorran

Gallagher

Horan

Keefe

Kell

Leahy

Lee

MacLaughlin

McAlwick

McCully

McDonagh

McGinley

McGinn

McGuiness

McHarg

McLaughan

McMahon

Millighan

Mongans

Murphy

Nolan

O’Brien

O’Connell

O’Donnell

O’Donoghue

O’Mahoney

O’Reilly

Sheriadan

Stokes

Walch

Ward

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