Pub dropped from Good Beer Guide after outrage over 'racist' golly dolls display
A pub has been dropped from a prestigious list after its landlords became tangled in a golly doll racism row.
The White Hart Inn, in Grays, Essex, was visited by police earlier this month where officers removed a selection of the golly dolls on display.
Chris Ryley, 64, and wife Benice was quizzed by officers after reports of a hate crime due to the golly dolls which the couple claim have been given to them as gifts by punters over the years.
Today the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said the pub would no longer be an entry in their Good Beer Guide and that it was " baffling that any pub would choose to discriminate against customers".
CAMRA tweeted: "Following discussions with the branch and our volunteer leadership yesterday evening, the White Hart's entry in the Good Beer Guide has been deleted & will not be submitted for forthcoming guides while the pub continues to be operated in a way counter to CAMRA's values and policies."
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Chris Ryley and his wife Benice have run the pub for 17 years (Eastnews Press Agency)It added: "CAMRA believes pubs should be welcoming and inclusive places and it's baffling that any pub would choose to discriminate against customers or potential customers by continuing to display offensive material."
The group was previously criticised for featuring the White Hart in its Good Beer Guide, even saying it had "an extensive collection of old-fashioned soft toys".
A disclaimer was later added that still reads: "Note this pub has chosen to display items that are considered by many to be offensive."
CAMRA said its What Pub guide would continued to list the pub as it is "a directory of all pubs rather than a recommendation of quality" but "full details have been removed".
The organisation continued: "Discussions are ongoing about local awards which may have been made in contravention of CAMRA policies."
CAMRA dropped the pub after the controversyIn a social media post from March 11, 2016, Chris uploaded a photo of the dolls hanging in his pub, and wrote "we have our golliwogs, yaaay".
Benice lightheartedly questioned whether they are legal, and Chris said: "They used to hang them in Mississippi years ago
Speaking to Thurrock Nub News, Benice said: "Apparently a visitor to the pub had been quite upset about them and made a complaint."
Benice added: "I don't understand why we have to go through all this again.
Six police officers raided the pub (Benice Ryley / SWNS)"I understand that some people may not like them and they are entitled to that view, but they don't have to come into the pub.
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"As far as we are aware we are not breaking any laws by displaying them, and that was proved last time when we were investigated."
She added that the couple are "definitely not racist" and said the actual racists are those "who complain".
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We are investigating an allegation of hate crime in Grays reported to us on 24 February.
Home Secretary reportedly Suella Braverman said she was furious over the police raid (Christopher Ryley/Facebook)"On Tuesday, 4 April, we attended a location off Argent Street, Grays, and seized several items in connection with our investigation."
Home Secretary Suella Braverman was reportedly critical of Essex Police's decision to conduct the raid.
A Home Office source told the Daily Mail: "The Home Secretary's views have now been made very plain to Essex Police so they're under no illusions.
"Police forces should not be getting involved in this kind of nonsense. It's about tackling anti-social behaviour, stopping violence against women and girls, attending burglaries and catching criminals – not seizing dolls."
Essex Police rubbished the source's claims.
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