Peaceful protest demands justice over race attack
ANGER OVER HOW PUB HANDLED ASSAULT ON MEMBER OF STAFF
A LARGE group of determined protesters gathered outside a North Kensington pub demanding justice for a member of staff who was the victim of a racially-fuelled assault.
The peaceful protest took place outside the Duke of Wellington pub, in Portobello Road, on Saturday February 22.
The attack has incited anger from Kensington locals who disagree with how it was handled by management at the pub.
The victim’s family expressed their upset that the Duke of Wellington did not provide an adequate duty of care nor call the police.
The Duke of Wellington pub initially did not comment on what happened, but a lengthy statement was issued on its behalf by operator Young’s on Tuesday February 25.
In the statement, it reads: “The management and staff of the Duke of Wellington, and all at Young’s, fully share the anger and disgust of the community following the vile racist attack on a 20-year-old member of staff by four members of the public.”
In response, the victim’s family held a peaceful protest, marching from the Westway Trust to the pub.
More than 100 people attended the march, chanting “Duke of Wellington, shame on you” and “Justice for El” in reference to the victim, El Harding.
Former Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad attended the march, however current Kensington MP Felicity Buchan did not.
The Metropolitan Police said: “The police were called just after midnight on Sunday February 16 to reports of an assault at a pub in Portobello Road.
“Officers attended and spoke to a man, aged in his 20s, who reported he had been assaulted and had an item of jewellery stolen by a group of males. “He was also racially abused. “Officers are investigating. There have been no arrests at this stage.”
The statement from the pub continued: “We fully understand the family’s anger at the incident and wish to reassure them, and the community, that Young’s do not tolerate any attack on our staff and will always do everything we can to provide every assistance to the police, including access to all CCTV and other related data, to bring those responsible to justice.”
Young’s states on the night the pub was staffed by three members of staff, including the deputy manager and the member of staff who was “disgustingly abused and attacked”.
CCTV footage from the pub “shows staff, including the deputy manager, trying to aid the colleague under attack”.
Young’s added that the correct “protocol” was not followed right away as police were not immediately called.
“Instead the deputy manager called the manager for guidance, who instructed they, as the manager on duty, call the police immediately,” the statement added.
“The deputy manager was on that call when the police arrived shortly after the incident.
“We offer our sincere apologies to our colleague and his family that our protocol to call the police immediately after an incident was not completed more quickly on this occasion.
“We take the welfare of all our team extremely seriously and, immediately following the incident, the manager was in direct contact with the team member at the centre of the attack to check on their welfare and to offer our full support.
“Young’s has repeatedly reached out to the team member and their family to offer our continued support, including access to counselling within the company and in the hospitality industry, as well as providing continued full pay during any absence.
“We also stand ready to help our colleague once they feel able to speak with us.
“Young’s has a strong duty of care to our people and we’re supporting the team member who suffered the attack and other members of the team at the Duke of Wellington, who have been left shocked by the distressing attack and have subsequently suffered threats through social media and within the pub itself.
“At no point did the management do anything to obstruct the police investigation and have fully co-operated wherever possible..
“We look forward to welcoming back our valued team member, when they are fully recovered and feel fully able to return.”