Poppy seller told to undergo risk assessment

An army veteran was told to stop selling poppies at a Portsmouth shopping centre unless he agreed to undergo a 'risk assessment'.

Jean Reno, who fought in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, was selling the poppies at Gunwharf Quays, in Portsmouth, when he was stopped by a security guard.

The 36 year-old was asked if he had permission to sell the plastic flowers, reports the Daily Telegraph.

When he refused to fill in a permission slip, which included a risk assessment, the guard asked him to leave the premises.

Mr Reno, from Southsea, Hants, raised more than £1,500 by selling poppies at the same venue last year.

He said: "I didn't require a risk assessment when I was sent to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Afghanistan, or Iraq. But I require one to stand on Gunwharf Quays property to sell poppies. I'm utterly disgusted."

Mr Reno left the army in 2007 after suffering serious brain injuries in a road accident. He was helped into a new flat by service charities, and has been collecting since last year out of gratitude.

He added: "I don't normally make a habit of leaving my house wearing my regimental blazer with medals on my chest, a box full of poppies and a collection tin, so I thought it was obvious that I had permission."

Gunwharf Quays director Peter Emery said: "We were given a list from the Royal British Legion of the people who would be collecting for them this year. But Mr Reno was not on it.

"We approached him to try and make him official and get him on the list but he took offence. It is regrettable that it came to this but Mr Reno has now signed the form and we are happy to have him back selling poppies on the site. We fully support the Poppy Appeal."