Hawksmoor responds to Tommy Robinson visit controversy

Award-winning Hawksmoor have taken to social media to issue a statement insisting asking activist Tommy Robinson to leave their restaurant last week was “not about politics”.

The sustainable steak and seafood restaurant Hawksmoor, which is B Corp certified, were last week at the centre of a media storm.

Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, says he and four others were told to leave the steakhouse in London last Thursday.

He claims it showcased “discriminatory behaviour” from Hawksmoor, due to his political beliefs.

In a post on X, Tommy wrote: “Restaurants and businesses should not be political. We weren’t loud, aggressive or inappropriate, so this can only be my politics.”

'Public figure was asked to leave'

In response, Hawksmoor have issued their own statement, not specifically referencing Tommy, which read: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.

“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.

“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.

“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”

It was signed off by Will Beckett, co-founder and CEO of Hawksmoor.

Hawksmoor was founded in 2006, with the first location opening in Spitalfields, London, by childhood friends Will Beckett and Huw Gott.

Further locations in London were then opened, before spreading their wings to restaurants in Manchester, New York, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

The Staff Canteen have approached Hawksmoor for further comment.

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