Furious locals rally around landlord at centre of bitter legal fight with convicted terrorist over 'offensive' pub name
Share:
Pub bosses and punters working at Saracens Head pubs across the UK have rallied around a landlord who is being taken to court by a convicted terrorist because he is 'deeply offended' by the name. Khalid Baqa, who was jailed for four years for preparing Jihadi propaganda, has sparked outrage by trying to win nearly £2,000 from the Saracens Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
![[Baqa said the sign - which depicts a brown-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent - 'instilled worry and fear in me since it was clearly xenophobic, racist and inciting violence to certain people']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93180691-0-Baqa_said_the_sign_which_depicts_a_brown_skinned_man_of_Arab_or_-a-3_1734362069933.jpg)
He described the 'depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk' on the pub's sign as racist and also insisted the depiction 'incites violence'. Baqa is demanding £1,850 from the landlord and has also announced plans to take on more than 30 other pubs with the same name if successful.
![[Pub landlord Robbie Hayes (pictured) has vowed to fight the lawsuit, calling it a 'complete joke']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93180695-0-Speaking_to_The_Sun_Robbie_Hayes_pictured_said_It_s_a_complete_j-a-5_1734362081818.jpg)
Pub landlord Robbie Hayes has vowed to fight back against the lawsuit - and he is being backed by other Saracens Head establishments across the UK. Staff at pubs with identical names told MailOnline they were stunned by the demand for money and Baqa's claim that he is offended by the name.
![[Staff and punters working at The Saracens Head, Kings Langley, were heavily critical of Baqa suing the landlord in Buckinghamshire]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93197731-14198075-image-a-6_1734362303059.jpg)
Caroline Machell-Ranson, who is head chef at the Saracens Head in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, said: 'This is just ridiculous and is crazy that he is offended by the name. 'This pub has been here since the 16th century and everyone in the village knows about it, and there have never been any complaints.
![[The pub features a Saracen brandishing a sword and is prominent outside the venue on the main road through the Hertfordshire village]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93197803-14198075-image-a-7_1734362552630.jpg)
Khalid Baqa (pictured), who was jailed for four years for preparing Jihadi propaganda, has sparked outrage by trying to win nearly £2,000 from the Saracens Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Baqa said the sign - which depicts a brown-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent - 'instilled worry and fear in me since it was clearly xenophobic, racist and inciting violence to certain people'.
![[Inside one corner of the pub with its oak beams and low ceilings is a fireplace are half a dozen ornaments featuring a Saracens head]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93197739-14198075-image-a-8_1734362642944.jpg)
