Ugly emails sent in row over ‘racist’ pub name

FOR weeks they have been trying to stop a brewery firm from changing the name of their local pub amid claims it is racially offensive.

Now, activists looking to save the name of The Black Bitch pub allege they themselves have been the subject of ‘racist messages’.

The pub has been a feature in Linlithgow, West Lothian, since the 1600s but is set to be rebranded as The Black Hound by owner Greene King.

The pub was originally named after a black female greyhound that features on the heraldic crest of the former Royal Burgh.

Some local campaigners proudly title themselves Black Bitches and an online petition opposing the renaming has raised 11,000 signatures.

An Early Day Motion in the House of Commons has even been tabled by Linlithgow MP Martyn Day.

Alistair Old, who is leading the campaign to keep the pub’s name, attended a meeting between one of the complainers and officers from Police Scotland. He said: ‘There’s some really ugly stuff going around in emails sent directly to people and we’re concerned as to how they’ve been tracked down.’

Police Scotland confirmed it is investigating an alleged hate crime reported on January 3.