Pubwatch in clash over human rights with campaigners Liberty
A Nottinghamshire pubwatch scheme is heading for a clash with human rights campaigners Liberty after banning a customer for alleged abusive behaviour.
Liberty claims banning the customer from the eight pubs in Ruddington is breaching his human rights.
Ruddington Pubwatch agreed to ban the man after he allegedly verbally abused staff in two local pubs and threatened them with violence.
The local police have asked the pubwatch group to consider suspending the ban to give its legal department a chance to consider Liberty's claims. However, the licensees have reaffirmed their refusal to serve the man.
Andrew Stuart, licensee of the Country Cottage Hotel and chair of Ruddington Pubwatch, said: "It sets a dangerous precedent. It's not acceptable. If you were on a train or a bus and was abusive and verbally aggressive you would be arrested. Why don't licensees have the same protection?
"As far as we're concerned he's still banned and we won't let him in if he tries to come into the pub."
Malcolm Eidmans, honorary secretary of National Pubwatch, said: "I'm disappointed Liberty is trying to circumvent community initiatives like Pubwatch in a way that the legislation governing human rights was not intended for."
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) was also critical of Liberty. Mark Hastings, director of communications at the BBPA, said: "Licensees face a difficult enough job when it comes to ensuring the safety of their staff and their customers. I would hope that organisations like Liberty would stand up for the human rights of pub employees whose lives are made a misery by troublemakers."
Legally, a human rights claim cannot be made against a voluntary organisation such as pubwatch. However, Liberty is claiming Ruddington Pubwatch is a public authority due to "the close involvement of the council and the police".
A Nottinghamshire Police spokeswoman confirmed the decision to ban an individual is down to the pubwatch and the police play no part in this process.
Liberty was unavailable for comment.
