Police snub Dorchester in Brunei protest

THE police’s annual bravery awards is being moved from The Dorchester hotel in protest at anti-gay laws in the homeland of its owner the Sultan of Brunei.

Police Federation chairman John Apter said ‘doing nothing was not an option’ after the tiny Asian nation introduced stoning to death as a punishment for homosexuality.

The move comes after celebrities including George Clooney and Sir Elton John announced they would no longer stay in the five-star Mayfair hotel or any others owned by the Sultan.

Mr Apter said on Twitter: ‘I can confirm that following recent events we have made the decision to move the bravery awards away from the Dorchester Hotel.

‘An alternative venue has been identified. This is the right decision. Policing as a whole would not allow us to be associated with such a regime.’

The Federation represents more than 119,000 officers in England and Wales and its annual awards celebrate extraordinary feats of courage.

The Brunei Investment Agency owns The Dorchester and Coworth Park in Berkshire, where Prince Harry stayed before his wedding. Other hotels it runs globally include the Beverly Hills in California.