Morrisons worker suspended in wristband row

A Morrisons supermarket employee has been suspended for wearing a poppy pin badge and wristband supporting Help For Heroes.

Adam Austin, who works at the Victory Retail Park store in Portsmouth, faces a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

Morrisons said its dress code banned bracelets and pins, but said since the incident on Monday, the firm had reviewed its guidelines to allow non-fresh food preparation staff to wear charity wristbands.

A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed Mr Austin worked in both fresh food preparation areas and non-fresh food preparation areas, such as the checkout.

Morrisons issued a response on its Facebook page, external.

A spokesman said: "We understand that it's important to many people to show support for our armed forces.

"Morrisons is a long time supporter of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and we welcome Help for Heroes fund-raisers into store.

"As a company, we encourage store colleagues to show their support for the Royal British Legion by wearing poppies in October and November.

"We currently ask colleagues to adhere to a company dress code, which precludes bracelets and pins."

Morrisons would not comment on the disciplinary process and said the matter was ongoing.

Mr Austin told the BBC he was wearing the badge and wristband after the death of Drummer Lee Rigby and in support of the armed forces.