Culture

Terrorist Threatens Legal Action Over Racist Pub Signs

December, 24, 2024-04:46

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Terrorist Threatens Legal Action Over Racist Pub Signs:

Two more Saracen's Head pubs are being targeted for legal action by a convicted terrorist who claims to be 'deeply offended' by their names.Khalid Baqa, who was jailed for four years for preparing jihadist propaganda, sparked outrage by launching a £2,000 compensation bid against The Saracen's Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.He described the 'depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk' on the pub's sign as racist and suggests the depiction 'incites violence'.Two more pubs have now received threats from Baqa, who has threatened to target 30 other premises with the same name in the unlikely event his action is successful.Simon Belsey, 49, who runs The Saracen's Head next to the River Wye in Hereford, has received two letters from the 60-year-old threatening legal action.Meanwhile, Peter Dillingham, 59, the owner of a 17th-century hostelry with the same name in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, has received emails threatening to 'escalate matters' if he does not change its name within two weeks. Mr Belsey, who took over his 300-year-old pub in May, said he could be forced to close if he loses a civil action.

'It is a travesty - this man has chosen to live in the UK and now he is trying to change our rich history and culture,' he told MailOnline. 'The pub's name goes back to 1705, clergymen visiting Hereford Cathedral used to stable their horses here.'It's The Saracen's Head and it will stay The Saracen's Head.'Mr Dillingham was similarly defiant, calling the move 'ridiculous'.Head chef Caroline Machell-Ranson previously raged: 'This is just ridiculous and is crazy that he is offended by the name. 'This pub has been here since the 16th century and everyone in the village knows about it, and there have never been any complaints. 'This is a just a village pub that has been here since 1615, and although I do not know when it was called The Saracens Head, the name should stay.'
The pub sign features a man brandishing a sword.

Inside one corner of the pub is a fireplace are half a dozen ornaments featuring the venue's symbol. Another member of staff at the pub, who asked not to be named, said it was 'madness' for the convicted jihadi to demand the name be changed.'You cannot whitewash history. The name has been around for hundreds of years and it is what it is,' said one worker.A third added: 'This man needs to get a life. What makes it worse is that he is a convicted terrorist.'Baqa's bizarre legal action against The Saracen's Head Inn in Chesham was revealed last week. Pub landlord Robbie Hayes vowed to fight back against the lawsuit - and he is being backed by other Saracens Head establishments across the UK. MailOnline visited another Saracens Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, where punters were equally offended by Baqa and his demands.