Landlady's anger over BNP publicity pictures (From Thurrock Gazette)

Landlady's anger over BNP publicity pictures

4:41pm Sunday 13th April 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

AN award-winning pub has been pictured on a BNP leaflet prompting an angry response from its landlady.

Margaret Orman, who is landlady at the family-run Whitmore Arms in Orsett, was livid when a copy of the leaflet came through the pub door.

The leaflet entitled 'Orsett Patriot' shows the British National Party candidate for Orsett, Derek Beackon, standing outside the pub.

Mrs Orman, 64, said: "It's making us look like we're supporting what they are doing and we certainly don't.

"I wouldn't let any political party use my business to advertise. What are our customers going to think.

"That man (Derek Beackon) hasn't even had the courtesy to walk through the door and introduce himself."

Mrs Orman has branded the leaflet as "cheap" publicity and said she wouldn't let any political party associate itself with the Whitmore Arms.

She said: "I'm so angry. We've got a very successful business and it's like they are trying to jump on the bandwagon.

"Of all the places they could have taken a picture of why here?

"They should not use a commercial business of any description and advertise their political views.

Margaret is planning to pin the leaflet, which was distributed throughout Orsett, on the front of the pub with a line through it and a notice saying the Whitmore Arms does not support the BNP.

Derek Beackon, who came to national prominence in 1993 when he became the BNP's first ever councillor, winning a by-election in Tower Hamlets, said: "It's just a local landmark that everyone knows. You can have your photo taken anywhere.

"However, looking back on it i'm not surprised she is upset.

"It's her livelihood and I can understand that she doesn't want to be associated with us.

"We were not trying to say she or the pub is associated with the BNP."

• Print
• Email
• Share