London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

UK: Dad protests in PANTS at Tesco over Wales 'non-essential' items rule

UK: Dad protests in PANTS at Tesco over Wales 'non-essential' items rule

Chris Noden, 38, was stopped by security staff as he tried to push his trolley into the Tesco store in Newport, south Wales wearing just his boxers and a face mask.

* Chris Noden, 38, walked into Newport's Tesco in just his boxers and a face mask

* He and wife Dawn argued with security that clothes were deemed 'non-essential'

* Wales was plunged into a draconian 'firebreak' lockdown from 6pm Friday night

* Shops stopped from selling some goods including clothes, and people are asked to stay at home



A dad attempted to shop at a Welsh supermarket wearing just his boxer shorts and a facemask in protest at Wales' ban on selling 'non-essential' items in supermarkets.

Chris Noden, 38, was stopped by security staff as he tried to push his trolley into the Tesco store in Newport, Gwent.

Furious wife Dawn, 33, filmed him as he tried to access the store, demanding: 'Clothes are non essential - let him in.'

Dawn tells the workers: 'Clothes are deemed now non-essential. Your stores policy says clothes are non essential.

'Let him in to buy some clothes.

'This is beyond a joke. There are children out there growing that need clothes.'

But a security guards says: 'He's not appropriately dressed. Go and take it up with the government.'

'You can't come in dressed like that.'

When the staff say they won't let him in, Dawn repeats: 'So clothes are essential to day-to-day life?'

The worker replies: 'Of course they are.'

The couple were turned away but Dawn later posted the video online saying: 'Please note that no lockdown rules were broken, nobody was put at risk, this non essentials list is beyond a joke! Clothes aren't essential are they Mr Drakefold.

'Chocolate, sugar, alcohol and tobacco all classed as essential items?'

A Tesco spokesperson said in response to the incident: 'Under new restrictions set out by the Welsh Government, we are currently unable to sell "non-essential" items in our stores.

'Our colleagues have worked hard to put these measures in place and we ask that customers please respect these restrictions.'

Dawn said she posted the message in response to mum Chelsea Jones telling how she was unable to buy new pyjamas for her hospitalised daughter whose old clothes had got covered in blood.

Chelsea said: 'Please someone tell me how it's not essential that I pop to the closest supermarket to the hospital (which is 5 minutes away) to get my daughter new underwear and pyjamas as hers are soaked in blood.'

Chelsea was forced to make a 40 mile round trip home from the hospital in Cardiff to Llwynypia, Rhondda, to get replacements.

Wales was plunged into a draconian 'firebreak' lockdown at 6pm on Friday and it is expected to wreck the Welsh economy.

Under the move, which will last 17 days, people have to stay home and leave only for a limited reasons, including exercise, buying essential goods or to provide care.

However, some 17,000 people have signed a petition for the Welsh Government to reduce the restrictions.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the restriction was a 'matter of fairness' as non-essential retail has to close during the two-week period, which began at 6pm on Friday and will last until November 9.

Guidance published by the Welsh Government says certain sections of supermarkets must be 'cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public'.

These include areas selling electrical goods, telephones, clothes, toys and games, garden products and dedicated sections for homewares.

Supplies for the 'essential upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household' - such as batteries, lightbulbs and rubber gloves - can be sold during the lockdown.

But anger over the rule has already spilt over, with a 28-year-old man being charged with criminal damage and breaching coronavirus regulations after plastic sheets were torn off banned 'non-essential' in another Tesco store.

Video posted on social media showed covers being ripped down at the company's Bangor outlet on Friday night, after staff had tried to wrap up shelves of items to comply with rules.

North Wales Police said Gwilym Owen, from Anglesey, has been further charged with several public order offences.

He is due before magistrates on Caernarfon on November 24.

Images posted on social media showed aisles selling products such as children's clothes, greetings cards and books blocked off, with plastic sheeting placed over items to prevent shoppers from accessing them.

The petition called the rules 'disproportionate and cruel'.

'We do not agree that this is a prudent or rational measure, and will create more harm than good,' the petition states.

'We do not agree for example that parents should be barred from buying clothes for their children during lockdown while out shopping.

'This is disproportionate and cruel and we ask that the decision be reversed immediately.'

Conservative MS Russell George said it was 'unfair' to force independent clothing and hardware retailers to shut while similar goods were on sale in major supermarkets.

On Saturday, Andrew RT Davies, shadow health minister of the Welsh Conservatives, called for the ban to be 'dropped immediately'.

He said: 'I have never witnessed such a fierce backlash against a decision from the Welsh Labour Government.

'This ludicrous ban has caused real anger across Wales and it's not fair on those staff working in our supermarkets, and the general Welsh public who are already at their wit's end with a difficult fortnight looming.'




Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×