Illegal action against LGBT by Greencoat pub in London.

Dear Sirs

Labour LGBT is a group within the national Labour Party with thousands of members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Today we held our AGM in Victoria, London and booked a room at the Greencoat Public House to retire to, for drinks and conversation.

Imagine our horror to be turned away by the manager of the pub who said he would not have taken the booking had he known who was making it.

I would like to draw your attention to the legislation of 30th April 2007 which outlaws discrimination of gays etc. in the deliver of services.

This has already become a national incident. Within a few short hours, we have used our extensive social and other networks to publicise this disgrace across the country, many Members of Parliament, European Parliament, Councillors and lawyers are already aware of this illegal, unfair, discriminatory incident.

It is in your hands now to dismiss this manager and to prove your ongoing commitment to upholding the rule of law and to supporting groups like ours.

I look forward to your official and detailed response. I am also posting this email on my website, where your answer will also be recreated, when you are able to furnish me with one

Yours sincerely

Councillor Louise Baldock
Labour - Kensington and Fairfield ward
Chair of Labour Party North West of England
Chair of City and North Liverpool District
Assistant Cabinet Member for Community Safety

I should say this was the royal "we",I was not there myself.

Update:
Response from Brewery

Dear Councillor Baldock,

Thank you for your email. Representatives from Punch Taverns are today meeting with the LGBT in London so your colleagues will be able to update you further following this meeting.

In the interim, please find our formal response as follows:

Punch Taverns seeks to provide open and welcoming venues to everyone. We are shocked and saddened that the Labour LGBT did not experience this at The Greencoat Boy last night and apologise unreservedly.

Across our estate, diversity and inclusion are a core part of our ethics and are clearly referenced in our recruitment process, our equal opportunities policy and training. We would like to stress that this is an isolated incident; we have a good track record on equal opportunities and we do not tolerate homophobia in our pubs, whether from guests to other guests, or involving our employees.

We are currently conducting a full investigation of the incident and the Deputy General Manager will not be on site until the investigation is concluded. We are co-operating fully with the police and have entered into constructive dialogue with the LGBT Labour Group to discuss how we can work together to further improve our policies and procedures.

In addition, we have contacted all of our general managers and pub teams to remind them of our equal opportunity policy and will seek to work with external partners to further enhance our training to ensure that inclusion remains at the heart of it.

Best regards,
Giles Thorley


Response from Chair of Licensing at Westminster Council

'Westminster strives to make its pubs, restaurants and all licensing premises pleasant for everyone to visit and I was mortified to hear of the apparent breach of this approach at the Greencoat Boy.

On hearing about the incident I immediately informed the police officer responsible for licensing in Westminster. He has now confirmed that a criminal investigation has commenced in relation to individuals at these premises. I understand that if a conviction ensues the court involved would decide what action to take about any personal licence held under the Licensing Act.

I think that it is right, given the seriousness of the accusation that a process of investigation takes its course, to be fair to both sides in this matter. But I am satisifed that the pub's management team is taking this seriously, and has already suspended the staff member allegedly responsible while it conducts its own investigation.

I anticipate that the information gathered during this investigation will assist the Police Licensing Unit for Westminster, which is responsible as the relevant 'responsible authority', to decide what action should be taken in relation to these premises such as calling for a review of the licence under the Act. Reviews can only be brought if we have a relevant representation, and in this case that needs to come from the police; we don't have powers to act without this representation.

I will keep a close eye on progress to a satisfactory resolution.'

Councillor Audrey Lewis