Stink as pub protest claims landlord has done the dirty

A LANDLORD has hit back after a pile of manure was left outside his pub – complete with signs accusing him of infidelity.

Placards protruding from the dirty protest alleged the pub’s landlord and chef, Simon Emberley, had been cheating on his spouse Joanna with the wife of the anonymous dumper.

Five signs protruding from the dung-heap, left outside the awardwinning Hawkley Inn, near Liss in Hampshire, each bore the phrase ‘the landlord is f****** my wife’.

The two-metre wide pile was so large that it caused delays for drivers trying to pass through the picturesque village, before being hosed away by workmen.

It was discovered by a baffled Mr Emberley, who says he has no idea who left it there on Sunday night.

Mr Emberley denied the allegations, claiming the messages are ‘unfounded and untrue’.

Speaking from his pub, he said: ‘All I know is I turned up for work at 7.30 this morning, and there was a big pile of s*** in the road. I don’t know where it’s come from or who has done it, but something like this can turn somebody’s life upside down. It is unfounded and untrue – whoever has done it is trying to ruin our business.’

Mr Emberley’s wife Joanna said Protest: Signs in the dung pile the dung was ‘in the hands of the police now’. She added: ‘We’ve done nothing wrong, it’s very unfortunate – a group of bullies who have targeted us for no reason.

‘We’re over it – there are much more important things going on in the world. It’s time to move on and talk about something else.’

Resident Philip Chippindale saw the pile on his road after a friend called him in ‘fits of laughter’. Mr Chippindale, 70, said: ‘When I saw it, I thought “My God, what’s that doing there?” It was a trailer load – people had to drive around it.’

Police have launched an investigation into the ‘malicious communications’ written on the signs. The Hawkley Inn has previously Denials: Simon and Joanna Emberley on wedding day been recognised by travel sites such as Tripadvisor and Trivago for its excellent food and service.

Yesterday Mr Emberley and his wife poked fun at the incident with an amusing sign offering ‘free local horse manure donated by generous supplier!’