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Published: 11 June, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

DRINKERS say they are ready to boycott a Victoria pub embroiled in a homophobia row after a gay group were allegedly turned away.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident at the Greencoat Boy which involved around 30 members of the Labour Party’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender forum (LGBT) at the weekend.

Punch Taverns, owners of the pub in Greencoat Place, have suspended a member of staff pending an internal investigation. 

A staff member allegedly told the group a banner they were carrying was causing offence, and that they would not have been served at all if their sexuality had been known.

More than 1,800 people have joined a Facebook group pledging to boycott the pub, which has now hung a rainbow flag – the universal symbol of gay pride – in its window.

More than 30 MPs have called for an end to homophobia by signing an early day motion “expressing concern” at the incident. The motion also calls on Punch Taverns to host an event on behalf of the group by way of an apology.

James Asser, a member of the group who was in the pub when the alleged incident took place, said: “This attitude is totally unacceptable in this day and age. 

“When you encounter prejudice you have to stand up and be counted. We also want a demonstration that the pub chain takes this very seriously and will make sure it never happens again.”

The incident became the most popular topic on the social networking site Twitter over the weekend, prompting comments from John Prescott and Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah.

A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: “Punch Taverns seeks to provide welcoming venues to everyone. 

“We are shocked and saddened that a group of our guests did not experience this and would like to apologise.

“We would however like to stress that this is an isolated incident and is not representative of our commitment to diversity.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “An allegation that a homophobic incident took place was reported.”