Louis Smith posted a thread on Twitter telling how he was racially profiled on a train. Smith was traveling from Peterborough to London in a first-class carriage and said the person serving refreshments wanted to check the tickets of the only two Black passengers on the train (Smith and another passenger) in order to see if they indeed bought tickets to the first-class carriage. None of the White passengers in that carriage had their tickets checked, according to Smith.
Smith said that he later complained to the train manager and received an apology while the train company, Virgin Trains, also issued an official apology and said that the issue will be investigated.
Well this train journey certainly got a lot more interesting and political!!! The man serving tea and coffee is working his way down the 1st CLASS carriage when he serves the man next to me randomly asks for his ticket to prove he’s in 1st class then he serves the lady behind 1/2
— Louis Smith MBE (@louissmith1989) June 7, 2018
Me to where he goes back to just serving teas and coffee. When he gets to me he asks if I want any I decline he then asks if I have a 1st class ticket I said yes!! He said can I see it I said yes but don’t you believe me. I show him he accepts it and carries on serving!! 2/3
— Louis Smith MBE (@louissmith1989) June 7, 2018
The next 3-4 people he serves tea and coffee to and I or the gentleman next to me to notice he doesn’t ask anyone else if there supposed to be in 1st class or to show proof of ticket. Well the gentleman kindly asks why that is and the waiter says it’s my choice who I ask.
— Louis Smith MBE (@louissmith1989) June 7, 2018
Well the quite upset and understandably intrigued gentleman asks why he’s only asked the only 2 black passengers if they are meant to be in first class and to prove it.. yikes!! This escalated quickly .. is it just a coincidence or not, what do you think!? 4/4
— Louis Smith MBE (@louissmith1989) June 7, 2018
Photo: Sky News
