Virgin Active admits it was wrong over T-shirt row

14 August 2015 - 18:57 By RDM News Wire

Virgin Active has admitted that it was wrong when it denied the right of a member of the Old Eds health club to wear a T-shirt reflecting the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement. In a statement issued on Friday‚ Virgin Active managing director Ross Faragher-Thomas said the company had apologised to Muhammed Desai.“We have thoroughly investigated the decisions we took‚ and the reasons behind them‚ which ultimately led to a member‚ Mr Desai‚ being informed that he could not enter the gym wearing a particular T-shirt.”He said the company took the highly publicised events extremely seriously. They had met Desai and had investigated the decision denying him the right to wear his T-shirt at the gym.“We ultimately conclude that the decision to inform Mr Desai that he could not wear the T-shirt in the club‚ on balance‚ was wrong‚” Faragher-Thomas said. “He‚ and any other member‚ is entitled to wear that T-shirt‚ and any other legal item of clothing‚ at our health clubs.”Faragher-Thomas said the company regretted the incident and was reviewing its procedures regarding ways to manage tensions...

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