An Army veteran who refused to surrender to 'ridiculous' health and safety regulations is celebrating victory after receiving an apology.
Retired Royal Artillery serviceman Doug Speller was left 'gobsmacked' when staff at the Apex theatre in Bury St Edmunds told him he would not be allowed to stand for the national anthem due to safety concerns.
The 74-year-old Thetford resident mounted a campaign to expose the policy, which he felt was an insult to the Queen and country. His efforts were rewarded on Monday with a face-to-face apology from the theatre's operator, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, represented by councillor Sarah Stamp,
'We shook hands on it and it's nice to know that they put their hands up to apologise,' he said. 'I shall be going to the concert and I'm looking forward to standing for the Queen and marking the national anthem in the way I always did. I'm really glad some good has come of it.'
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