Imperial War Museum embroiled in 'woke' row as staff insult veterans by claiming 'it's got nothing to do with war'
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It was opened by King George V in 1920 to commemorate the 'toil and sacrifice' of the millions who fought and died during the First World War.
Now, however, workers at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) have been accused of treating the Armed Forces with disdain.
A retired soldier has revealed his shock at an exchange with a member of staff at the gift shop during a recent visit to the museum in south London.
'My 11-year-old daughter asked if there would be a veteran's discount,' the former serviceman told the Mail. The reply stunned him. 'The woman at the till said, 'We have nothing to do with the military - that's not who we are'.'
The veteran, who was mentioned in despatches three times during his service which included tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, then spoke to the assistant, whom he describes as 'surly, sulky, a real jobsworth'.
'I said, 'There's a V2 rocket outside, a Spitfire and a Harrier jump jet. You have to get your head round why people have to go to war - to protect you from bad people'.'
His experience follows that of Lord Ashcroft, who lampooned the visitor attraction as the 'Imperial Woke Museum' after it shunned his collection of 245 Victoria Crosses, which for 15 years had been displayed in the gallery he had created, at the museum's request, at a personal cost of £5million.
A decorated British military veteran has accused the Imperial War Museum of displaying 'disdain' toward the Armed Forces following an exchange with an employee (file photo)
Lord Ashcroft noted last year that Sir Keir Starmer had appointed three new trustees to the museum – none of them with a military background.
The National Army Museum, in Chelsea, west London, which now displays Lord Ashcroft's collection, gives soldiers and veterans a 20 per cent discount in its shop.
More than 14,000 brands and businesses offer discounts to veterans with the appropriate ID.
The IWM said it had begun an investigation.
A spokesman said it was 'very sorry to hear about this visitor's experience' and apologised 'if he or his daughter felt unwelcome during their visit'.
The spokesman added: 'IWM exists to tell the stories of people whose lives have been shaped by war and conflict. Veterans' experiences are an important part of those stories, and we deeply value their service and contribution to our work.'
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