GET OUT OF MY PUB!
Starmer gets the Peggy Mitchell treatment from Labour-supporting landlord
SIR Keir Starmer was kicked out of a pub yesterday by a landlord who accused him of failing to challenge the Government over lockdown restrictions.
Rod Humphris had to be held back as he shouted ‘Get out of my pub!’ at the Labour leader. Sir Keir had been campaigning in Bath when he clashed with the 54-year-old co-landlord of The Raven.
Mr Humphris, who claims to be a lifelong Labour supporter, said later he would ‘vote for a dead sheep if it was anti-lockdown’ and that ‘it’s obvious lockdowns don’t save lives’.
Sir Keir was in the city centre to canvass in support of mayoral candidate Dan Norris ahead of next month’s local elections. His team had arranged the visit to The Raven with Tim Perry, 60, Mr Humphris’s business partner.
But as he approached the premises, Mr Humphris – who also writes thriller novels – confronted him, waving a piece of paper and asking about the average age of those dying from Covid-19. He then questioned the Labour leader about the requirements for children to wear masks in schools.
Mr Humphris said Sir Keir had not challenged the Government over whether lockdowns worked to save lives. Sir Keir said his wife Victoria works in the NHS and hospitals had been in danger of being overwhelmed by the number of coronavirus patients, adding: ‘I really don’t need lectures from you about this pandemic.’
He then put on a mask and went into The Raven – which was allowed to reopen on April 12 to serve customers outdoors – to meet Mr Perry.
But Mr Humphris followed, yelling: ‘This man is
‘I was angry and gave him a piece of my mind’
not allowed in my pub.’ As bemused customers looked on, he continued, in the style of EastEnders landlady Peggy Mitchell: ‘Get out of my pub!’
He had to be restrained by Sir Keir’s security guards as he continued the confrontation. The Labour leader and his team then left.
Mr Humphris said afterwards: ‘I had been feeling pretty angry with the fellow and gave him a piece of my mind. He has a platform and should be challenging the Government. Yes, it has been a horrible year but I am more bothered because we forced children to wear masks in schools. I would vote for a dead sheep if it was anti-lockdown.’
Mr Humphris, who has penned several crime thrillers, spent the first lockdown writing Bloodstock, which he self-published through a publishing house he runs from the pub. In an interview to publicise it last summer, he was asked: ‘What has the lockdown experience been like for you?’ He replied: ‘Good, if I’m honest.’ The pub issued a tweet distancing itself from the incident, saying: ‘There was no intention by The Raven to hijack Keir Starmer’s visit to Bath. Rod’s opinion is his own.’
Mr Perry, who describes himself as Left-wing, confirmed he helped organise the visit. ‘I was phoned last week and was asked if Keir Starmer could
come and talk about his high street initiative,’ he said. ‘I said it was fine and we would talk about our response to Covid. ‘When I told my business partner Rod he said “I want a word with him” or words to that effect.
‘I said “I’m sure he will be up for a discussion”. The whole plan was he was going to come in and pour a pint. I think the misunderstanding is Rod was not introduced to him and so, as far as Keir was concerned, to him he was just a member of the public. That’s why they came in the pub.’
Labour sources said Sir Keir ‘profoundly disagreed’ with Mr Humphris’s sentiment. Lockdowns had been necessary to get Covid under control and were supported by the majority of the public.
A Labour spokesman said: ‘A clip circulating online shows Keir Starmer being confronted by someone spreading dangerous misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic. We will not be amplifying it.
‘Keir argued that our NHS staff have been working tirelessly to protect public health and that restrictions – while painful – have been absolutely necessary to save lives.’