Licensee considers legal action after TV slur

An army officer and Walthamstow licensee was shocked to discover on his return from duty in Iraq that his pub had featured in a TV programme about...

An army officer and Walthamstow licensee was shocked to discover on his return from duty in Iraq that his pub had featured in a TV programme about Britain's toughest pubs. Rob Richie (pictured), licensee of the Tavern on the Hill, is considering legal action after his pub was featured in Toughest Pubs in Britain on Sky One. The programme was screened while Mr Richie was in Iraq and he was not aware of the problem until he came home.

He said: "London Weekend Television [which made the programme] did not do its homework. There is no way that this is Britain's toughest pub. I am trying to create a family atmosphere."

Mr Richie is angry because the programme has affected the pub's image. "I have had army friends poking fun at me," he said. "I even had a phone call from an old cellmate of Harry Roberts who is infamous here for killing three policemen. He asked, having seen the show, if I could arrange a charity event to help get Harry Roberts out of prison! It has been detrimental."

The programme's executive producer, Brent Baker, said that LWT had sought and received permission from a temporary licensee. He said: "I understand his views and it is unfortunate. But as far as I was aware the licensee on the premises gave us permission to film. Otherwise the programme has had a positive response."

This was not the only problem Mr Richie had to face. The manageress left in charge of his pub when he went to Iraq ran up debts after failing to pay the rent.

He was not aware of this until he received a call from pub company Punch. "It called me out there and said the rent hadn't been paid for two months," he explained. "The woman I left in charge had run up a debt of nearly £5,000. She promised the earth and delivered nothing."

Mr Richie was given leave to return to Britain to sort out his affairs. He flew back and sacked the manager and installed a couple on the recommendation of a fellow publican.

He was stationed in Iraq as a diplomatic courier for six months last year with the Royal Logistics Corps.