Epilepsy sufferer plans action over a 'club ban'

AN epileptic from High Brooms has claimed a nightclub is discriminating against her because of her condition.

Senna Harrison, 19, claims to have been barred from El Mono nightclub, on Calverley Road.

But this was strenuously denied by a director of the club who said she was free to enter but would not be served alcohol in case it triggered a seizure.

Miss Harrison, of Brook Road, is now talking to the Equality and Human Rights Commission about legal action against the club.

She said: "If you did this to a black person it would be discrimination. What's the difference?"

The dispute began on March 4, 2009, when Miss Harrison had an epileptic seizure in the club.

An ambulance had to be called for Miss Harrison and, according to the club, police were needed to deal with her friends.

From that point Miss Harrison said the club had been reluctant to let her in.

The photography student at the University for the Creative Arts in Maidstone said: "They told the ambulance team to tell me when I woke up that I would not be welcome back in the club.

"It was another three or four months before I went back and then they told me I couldn't come in."

Miss Harrison said she continued to press for entry to the club and was eventually allowed to talk to the manager.

She said: "I was told that if I went in I would not be allowed to drink.

"It made me angry because it's not their decision. My doctor has told me I can drink, as long as I am careful. I know how much I can drink and I don't overdo it."

The situation came to a head when Miss Harrison was caught drinking alcohol in the club and was asked to leave. She contacted the Equality and Human Rights Commission the next day.

James Tovey, one of the directors of El Mono, said the decision not to serve alcohol to Miss Harrison was for her wellbeing and the safety of others.

He said: "We are trying to be responsible. She is not banned. The first two times she came to the club she had a major fit. An ambulance had to be called then police were called because her friends were causing a fuss and didn't know how to deal with her.

"There was then an agreement not to sell her alcohol in case that triggered her getting stressed and bringing on an attack."

He said Miss Harrison was in the club last Tuesday and CCTV clearly showed her drinking alcohol that had been bought by friends. He said a member of staff reminded her of the agreement that she couldn't drink and she stayed in the club a further hour or so and left "quite happily".