Law lets pubs down says McMullens
McMullens boss Peter Furness-Smith has written to Home Secretary John Reid slamming British law enforcement for not doing enough to support pubs.
The MD of the Hertford brewer complained that while pub staff are under
the constant threat of being fined for serving minors, thugs who cause violence
in pubs are being let off
scot-free.
He gave the example of a barman who was fined £80 after serving a 17-year-old during a sting operation at the company's Lord Kitchener pub in Barnet, London.
McMullens and the designated premises supervisor was prosecuted "at great cost to both the tax payer and to my company", but was eventually acquitted.
A few months later staff at McMullens' Fishery pub in Elstree suffered injuries
and abuse from a group of people after refusing to serve a man who appeared to be drunk.
Two of the group gave themselves up to police - and were let off with a caution.
Furness-Smith said: "I find it incredible that you encourage your police force to commit resources to entrapping, and fining honest hard- working pub employees who make an error of judgement but take no action against a person who admits to assault and criminal damage.
"I am sure your opinion polls are beginning to tell you that honest hard working people are increasingly concerned by our political élite as more and more examples of this sort of ludicrous behaviour of the state comes to light.
"How do you expect this industry to attract and keep the quality people we need when on the one hand we are constantly undermined by both our politicians and their law enforcement agencies, and on the other hand we are not supported when assaulted by the scum in our society?"
