Grogan: "great thrill" to be first Proud winner

Labour MP John Grogan described it as "a great thrill" to be handed the first ever Proud of Pubs Award at The Publican Awards.

The chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group picked up the award, nominated by The Publican team and sponsored by Greene King, in recognition of his trail-blazing for the pub trade over the past year.

The Publican team was unanimous in agreeing that no-one had done more for pubs over the past year than John.

The MP threw himself behind The Publican's Proud of Pubs campaign, tabling the Proud of Pubs motion in the House of Commons in support of pubs - and persuading 86 more MPs to sign it - and spoke up for the trade on issues ranging from licensing to Sky's pricing policy - and has even been attacked by the Daily Mail!

His latest success has seen almost 200 MPs back his early day motion highlighting cheap alcohol in supermarkets, while just last week Ofcom announced an inquiry into the pay TV industry following sustained pressure.

Speaking after receiving the prize from Publican editor Caroline Nodder and Rooney Anand, chief executive of award sponsor Greene King, John said it was "a great thrill" to receive the award.

"I've just left five health ministers at a meeting in the House of Commons in order to dash down here and accept it!" said John, who is being forced to give up his seat at the next election due to boundary changes.

"When my parliamentary career is long finished the award will be one of the things that remain on my mantelpiece, reminding me of many happy times."