Pub landlord slams ‘ludicrous’ civil claim by convicted terrorist over ‘racist’ sign
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Saracen’s Head Inn landlord tells The Independent Khalid Baqa’s demands for hundreds of pounds in compensation are ‘ridiculous’. A landlord has defended his pub after a convicted terrorist claimed he was “deeply offended” by its “racist” sign.
![[The Saracen’s Head Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, was established in 1530 and is owned by Greene King]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/16/14/newFile-3.jpg)
Khalid Baqa – who was previously jailed for spreading jihadi content – is demanding hundreds of pounds in a civil claim against the The Saracen’s Head Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, over its sign “depicting a brown-skinned bearded Arab/Turk male with a turban”, which he claims “incites violence”.
![[Khalid Baqa was jailed for two years in 2013 after admitting having 300 computer discs of terrorist material in his car and home]](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2018/09/21/18/khalid-baqa.jpg)
Describing the legal action as “ludicrous”, landlord Robbie Hayes, 52, told The Independent he received a letter from His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service at the end of November, with a “list of demands” made by Baqa, 60. According to Mr Hayes, who vehemently denies the accusations, Baqa wants the compensation for the “racist sign”, “xenophobia” and “inciting racial violence against a specific race”.
The 52-year-old, of Amersham, told this publication: “Its ludicrous. I don’t think he has a leg to stand on. It’s been called The Saracen’s Head for 500 years. Why, overnight, has Khalid Baqa become offended by it? I don’t think one man can change the historic name of a pub that's been called that for 500 years because he doesn’t like it. It’s ridiculous.”.
