A second pub known as the Saracen’s Head is facing a legal challenge over its name from a convicted terrorist who deems it “deeply offensive.” Khalid Baqa, previously imprisoned for disseminating jihadist propaganda, has initiated legal action seeking compensation for the use of the term, historically used to refer to an Arab or Muslim. Simon Belsey, the proprietor of this establishment located in Hereford city center, is now grappling with the potential consequences of legal proceedings following the receipt of a letter from Baqa.
This development comes in the wake of Baqa’s lawsuit against Robbie Hayes, the owner of The Saracen’s Head Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, demanding a name change. The 60-year-old Baqa has indicated his intention to extend his legal battle to 30 other venues sharing the same name should he prevail.
Mr. Belsey disclosed that he has received two letters from Baqa, with the second one threatening legal action unless the name of the pub is altered within a week. Expressing concern for the future of the 300-year-old establishment he took over in May, Mr. Belsey expressed apprehension that any adverse ruling in a civil court case could force the closure of the pub.
“It’s always been the Saracen’s Head,” Mr. Belsey remarked to the Telegraph, highlighting the establishment’s deep-rooted historical significance in the local community. He emphasized its longstanding presence, noting its connection to the cathedral’s construction through the work of the stonemasons who once lodged there. “I don’t see how people can come in and start saying what we can do in our pubs that have been here for years,” he added.
With only three remaining pubs in the vicinity following the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic and the prevailing cost of living crisis, Mr. Belsey underscored the significance of preserving the pub’s traditional identity. He stressed that dictating name changes for well-established establishments was unwarranted, considering the broader global issues at play.
In response to Baqa’s allegations of offensiveness and discrimination associated with the pub’s signage, Mr. Belsey asserted his determination to retain the traditional name. “They are not going to change the name. It’s The Saracen’s Head, and it will stay The Saracen’s Head,” he stated emphatically.
Baqa’s legal pursuits have raised eyebrows previously when he targeted Mr. Hayes over what he deemed a racially insensitive depiction on the pub’s signage, demanding compensation. The portrayed figure—a brown-skinned, bearded Arab—led Baqa to assert his claims of xenophobia, racism, and incitement to violence. However, Mr. Hayes dismissed Baqa’s demands as baseless, labeling them as those of a “chancer” and the legal challenge as a “complete joke.”
In light of the public attention garnered by the dispute surrounding The Saracen’s Head, Mr. Belsey expressed hope that the legal claim would not progress further, given the support.
