Olympic star Louis Smith live tweets race row after Virgin Trains waiter 'demands he and another black passenger show First Class tickets'

Martin Coulter8 June 2018

A British Olympic gymnast has hit out at Virgin Trains after claiming a waiter demanded he and another black passenger show their First Class tickets.

Four-time Olympic medallist Louis Smith, 29, outed the rail firm on Twitter after a member of staff allegedly demanded to see his and the only other black passenger's tickets in the First Class carriage.

He told his 255,000 followers: "Well this train journey certainly got a lot more interesting and political!

"The man serving tea and coffee is working his way down the [First Class] carriage when he serves the man next to me [and] randomly asks for his ticket...

"When he gets to he asks if I want any, I decline, [and] he then asks if I have a First Class ticket and I said yes...

"He doesn't ask anyone else if they're supposed to be in First Class or to show proof of ticket.

"Gentleman asks why he's only asked the only two black passengers if they are meant to be in First Class...is it just a coincidence or not?"

Mr Smith claims the staff manager aboard his train apologised after he lodged a complaint, claiming they admitted "it was wrong".

The Virgin Trains East Coast Twitter account replied to Mr Smith, saying: "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 here and there will be a complaint logged and investigated."

The Standard approached Virgin Trains for further comment.

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