Disabled woman banned from Asda in south east London 'for not showing ID for her service dog'

Elanor Maxey said she was banned from every Asda in Britain (PA Wire)
Elanor Maxey said she was banned from every Asda in Britain (PA Wire)

A disabled woman has said she was banned from every Asda in Britain after she was wrongly told she could not bring her service dog into one of the supermarket’s branches in southeast London.

Elanor Maxey, 32, was told she could not bring her service dog Genie into Asda stores during an argument with a security guard in Bexleyheath.

Alongside a video of the dispute, Ms Maxey wrote on TikTok: “Today Genie and I have now been officially banned from every Asda in Britain simply because [I] didn't present her ‘Service ID’ (something that doesn't exist).

“I also was asked for my dog licence... something that hasn't ever existed within my lifetime.”

Ms Maxey added that staff at the supermarket labelled her rude and claimed she had breached the Data Protection Act by recording staff.

She told her followers that she had been feeling dizzy when she popped into the supermarket for a sandwich.

She continued: “I am just so thankful there were some brave people who tried to advocate for me and while the store ignored them it's wonderful to know there are kind people who will speak up when they see human rights being violated.

“I later spoke to police who have told me to file a report as it is discrimination to ban someone for not presenting ID if they have an Assistance Dog.

“They also cannot ban someone for being "rude" and it is entirely legal to record in any space where a member of public has a right of access. She also had no right to grab at me and my phone.”

Under the Equality Act, it is unlawful to refuse access to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog except in the most exceptional circumstances.

An Asda spokesperson told the Metro that Ms Maxey’s ban has been rescinded and said: “We have apologised to Ms Maxey for her experience at our Bexleyheath store.

“‘This falls short of the welcoming culture we strive for at Asda.

“We are clear that assistance dogs are welcome in all of our stores, and we will be reminding our colleagues of this policy as a matter of urgency.”

Asda has been contacted by the Evening Standard for further comment.