Convicted Terrorist Sues Pub After Saying He Is ‘Deeply Offended’ By Sign
A previously convicted terrorist has initiated legal action against a pub, claiming a sign displayed outside the establishment caused him ‘deep offense.’
The individual is seeking nearly £2,000 in damages.
The plaintiff, Khalif Baqa, who served over four years in prison for disseminating Jihadi propaganda, has targeted the Saracen’s Head Inn, a pub located in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, a town with a population of just over 23,000.
Baqa alleges that the pub’s sign, which depicts what he described as a ‘bearded Arab/Turk,’ is racist and promotes violence.
In his words, it left him: “Deeply offended.”
Baqa has demanded £1,850 in compensation from the pub’s landlord, Robbie Hayes, and has stated his intention to take legal action against approximately 30 other establishments with similar names if his current claim is successful.
Landlord Robbie Hayes, 52, dismissed the claim as a ‘complete joke’ in comments made to The Sun.
Hayes argued: “This has been called The Saracen’s Head for 500 years. He’s just chancing his hand. Of course, it worries me – you never know with people like this.”
Hayes maintained that neither the pub’s name nor its sign were intended to offend, emphasizing their historical significance.
Baqa has filed his grievance in county court, asserting that the pub sign’s depiction of a man with brown skin of Arab or Turkish descent is ‘racist, xenophobic, and inciting violence.’
He further stated that the sign made him feel ‘worry and fear.’
The controversial sign, which prompted Baqa’s lawsuit, has been in place for years.
Baqa claims he attempted to visit the pub on four occasions to express his concerns, but staff have denied any recollection of his visits.
Baqa, who was imprisoned for four years and eight months after pleading guilty to five counts of disseminating terrorist publications, has expressed long-standing objections to pub names such as The Saracen’s Head.
He explained that the term ‘Saracen’ historically referred to Arabs during the fifth century and later became associated with Muslims during the Crusades.
Despite Baqa’s claims, pub names like ‘The Saracen’s Head’ are among the most common in the UK, alongside names like ‘The Red Lion.’
The Chesham establishment itself was built in 1530, approximately 500 years ago, though the name references events from around 800–1,000 years ago during the Crusades.
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