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