Louis Smith has received an apology from Virgin Trains East Coast, after tweeting that a waiter asked “the only two black passengers” on one of their services “if they were meant to be in first class”.
The Olympian was travelling on one of the company’s trains on Thursday evening when he revealed on Twitter the man next to him had challenged the waiter on his actions.
He wrote; “Well this train journey certainly got a lot more interesting and political!!! The man serving tea and coffee is working his way down the 1st CLASS carriage when he serves the man next to me randomly asks for his ticket to prove he’s in 1st class then he serves the lady behind 1/2. Me to where he goes back to just serving teas and coffee. When he gets to me he asks if I want any I decline he then asks if I have a 1st 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!! 2/3. The next 3-4 people he serves tea and coffee to and I or the gentleman next to me to notice he doesn’t ask anyone else if there supposed to be in 1st class or to show proof of ticket. Well the gentleman kindly asks why that is and the waiter says it’s my choice who I ask. Well the quite upset and understandably intrigued gentleman asks why he’s only asked the only 2 black passengers if they are meant to be in first class and to prove it.. yikes!! This escalated quickly .. is it just a coincidence or not, what do you think!? 4/4”
In an additional tweet, Louis explained that when his fellow passenger had approached the train manager, they said “it was wrong and apologised for the man’s [waiter] behaviour”.
“The waiter isn’t allowed to check tickets anyway but can ask if you’re seated in 1st class!!” he added.
Virgin Trains East Coast then replied to this tweet, writing: “Hi Louis. Please accept my sincerest apologies for this.
“I have spoken to the Train Manager on this service at length about what has happened and there will be a complaint logged and investigated. ^BG.”
Source: Huffington Post
