Pisa last week was letting UK through EU - “you are not Africa” was the precise wording.

As a long term non EU/non UK passport holder travelling around Europe, I find many EU only lines will accept non/EU passports, if they’ve no queue. There is no difference in staff or their tools, the lines are simply an opportunity for shorter queues for EU nationals. A smile and a greeting in the local language often works a charm…although the Jobsworth is not an entirely British affliction.