Diabetic man claims he was 'dragged out' of top Edinburgh hotel in toilet row

Police are carrying out inquiries into the incident.

A 23-year-old diabetic man claims he was left with facial injuries after an altercation when he tried to use the toilet at a top Edinburgh hotel in the early hours.

Musician John Churton said he entered the Carlton on North Bridge to use the loo at about 3am on Sunday after playing a gig in George Street venue Milk and Honey and having a couple of drinks with pals.

But he claims he was manhandled outside after being told he was not allowed to use the facilities.

Joh Churton claims he was dragged out of the Carlton Hotel on Edinburgh's North Bridge.

Mr Churton said: "I was dragged outside. I went to try and get back in but they kept pushing me out of the doorway."

Mr Churton said he managed to call police as he was allegedly pushed up against the glass doors.

Shortly afterwards he suffered a seizure, although he does not know what caused it.

Police said they received a report of a "verbal altercation" at the four-star hotel and that a man there needed medical treatment from paramedics. They also said that inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

John Churton claims he was left with facial injuries due to the altercation.

A Hilton Edinburgh Carlton spokeswoman said they take complaints "very seriously" and were "committed to reviewing any issues raised," but stressed this was now a police mater.

'Shocked'

Mr Churton claims hotel staff told officers at the scene the reason he wasn't allowed in was because the toilets were being cleaned, which he disputes because he didn't see any 'wet floor' signs.

The musician, who has the rare Type 3 diabetes meaning his body produces too much insulin, said he went to A&E at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance on Sunday after the incident.

Mr Churton, who says a symptom of his condition is needing to use the toilet suddenly, says the right side of his face was also swollen from his temple down to his jaw.

He said he had been playing a solo gig in Milk and Honey before heading up to see pals at Whistle Binkies on South Bridge. He said he had a "couple of drinks" there with pals before heading along at 3am to the Carlton where he had been allowed to use the toilet the weekend before.

He says he preferred not to queue at the Royal Mile taxi rank so booked a taxi before going along to the hotel to use their toilet before jumping in the cab, as he had done previously.

Mr Churton, who lives in the Fountain Park area, said: "I'm just shocked by what's happened. I've not been out of the house and I just feel exhausted."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Officers were called to a hotel on North Bridge, Edinburgh, at around 3am on Sunday, 9 February, following a report of a verbal altercation between a number of people.

"A man requiring medical treatment was passed into the care of the ambulance service and taken to hospital for treatment. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

A spokeswoman for Hilton Edinburgh Carlton said: "The health and safety of guests and employees is our top priority and we can confirm that police attended an incident at the hotel in the early hours of February 9th.

"We take complaints very seriously and are committed to reviewing any issues raised. However, as this is the subject of a police investigation we cannot comment further on the circumstances of this incident."