PUB landlords will have the right to refuse entry to customers if they have not received a Covid jab, Boris Johnson has said.

Punters eager to return to their local pub for a pint after lockdown may be required to show proof of vaccination.

Speaking in Commons, the Prime Minister told MPs that it “may be up to the landlord”.

He added: “The concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us.”

Boris Johnson has previously rejected the idea that vaccine passports may be needed in pubs and last night Tory MPs slammed the idea of having to show “papers for the pub”.

But according to Government sources, pubs, bars and restaurants could be allowed to set their own rules under a review being led by Michael Gove due next month.

Speaking to a committee of MPs yesterday, the Prime Minister hinted that the decision could be made by individual businesses.

He said: “I think that’s the kind of thing that may be up to individual publicans. It may be up to the landlord.”

Trade body UKHospitality criticised the prospect of pubs and restaurants being subject to vaccine certificates as “simply unworkable” and said it could cause conflict between staff and customers.

But Conservative MP and former minister Steve Baker warned it could create a “two-tier Britain” for those who are unable to take up the vaccine for medical reasons.

The deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory lockdown sceptics said: “The Prime Minister began to tread a dangerous path when he opened the door to domestic Covid certificates.

“First they said we’ll need them to watch the football, and today that it may be papers for the pub.

“Whether the state legislates for it, recommends it or simply allows it the result will be the same: a two-tier Britain that prevents pregnant women from taking part in society, given that the Government is telling them not to take the vaccine, or one where we turn back the clock and tolerate businesses turning away customers from communities which have shown an unfortunate hesitancy to take up the offer of a vaccine.

“We must not fall into this ghastly trap.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “It’s crucial that visiting the pub and other parts of hospitality should not be subject to mandatory vaccination certification.

“It is simply unworkable, would cause conflict between staff and customers and almost certainty result in breaches of equality rules.

“Through the success of the vaccine rollout we need to throw off the shackles of coronavirus in line with the Government’s roadmap, not impose more checks on our ability to socialise and do business.”

A British Beer and Pub Association spokesperson said: “Our sector has already gone to extraordinary lengths to prepare for reopening and we do not believe a requirement for pubs to check whether someone has had the vaccine would be appropriate or necessary.

“We will continue to work closely with the Government in developing guidelines for a safe and sustainable reopening in April and May.”