London, September 28: A man with a facial disfigurement, Oliver Bromley,  shared a painful incident in which he was asked to leave a London restaurant due to complaints from customers who felt he was "scaring" them. After finishing a treatment session, he attempted to place a lunch order but was told to leave. While the restaurant has not responded, UKHospitality has offered to collaborate with Bromley to raise awareness about facial disfigurements in the hospitality sector.

Bromley, who has Neurofibromatosis Type 1, a genetic disorder that causes benign tumours to develop on nerves, recently underwent a treatment session at Kings College Hospital in southeast London. He expressed his shock and disappointment after being asked to leave a nearby restaurant. London Shocker: Air India Cabin Crew Member Assaulted in Her Room at Radisson Red Hotel in Heathrow, Airline Says ‘Working With Local Police’.

Bromley was taken aback when staff at a restaurant told him to leave due to complaints about his presence. After withdrawing cash to place his order, the employee informed him that he was "scaring customers." Bromley, incredulous at the accusation since he hadn't even sat down, felt upset and confused, wondering if they simply didn't want him there. Following the incident, he went to a local park to gather his thoughts and devise a plan to address the situation. UK Shocker: Group Armed With Knives Smash Windows of Cab in London, Stab Passenger in Broad Daylight; Video Surfaces.

He personally wrote to the unnamed restaurant regarding the incident but received no response. He subsequently contacted the Met Police, who recorded it as a hate crime. The police confirmed to the BBC that officers had met with Bromley and emphasized their serious stance on hate crime, although no arrests were made. Bromley noted that while he frequently faces stares, he has never encountered anything as "direct" as being asked to leave the restaurant.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2024 02:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).