UK: Raid pub accuses 'gay hate' police

A GAY pub in Birmingham has called for an investigation into West Midlands Police, blaming homophobic officers for a loss of trade.

The Fountain Inn, in Wrentham Street, near the city centre, has protested officially to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and is considering suing the force for thousands of pounds which it claims it has lost since the pub was raided in August 2007.

Officers swooped on the pub after receiving an anonymous letter claiming drugs were being sold. No drugs were found, but an illegal porn film was being shown in a back room.

West Midlands Police said: "It's not unusual that where breaches of licences are found during police visits that these are then referred to the licensing committee.

"The licence holder's aware of these breaches, as he was on the night of the visit. The pub was reopened later that day and has operated freely since.

full article