Former licensee who served underage prince to be investigated
The former licensee of the pub where Prince Harry drank underage with his friends is facing investigation, police have warned.
Wiltshire police said they would be contacting David Baker, who used to run the Rattlebone Inn in Sherston, Wiltshire, after accusations that he served alcohol to the 17-year-old Prince (pictured) and his friends and often broke licensing laws by continuing to serve until the early hours of the morning.
The traditional country pub is now being run by licensees John Williams and Emma Parker-Williams who took over nine months ago - almost a year after the alleged incidents took place.
A spokesman for London brewer Young's - which now owns the pub - told thePublican.com: "It's not that sort of pub. It does not have a problem with underage drinking.
"We're very strict about enforcing licensing laws and do not allow the use of drugs."
A House of Commons debate on underage drinking was introduced by Labour MP Gisela Stuart after meetings with the Midlands branch of the British Beer and Pub Association.
She was impressed with its commitment to both licensing reform and the introduction of a Government-backed national proof-of-age card to help licensees combat the problem and has said she will push both objectives with the Government.
The Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) and drinks watchdog The Portman Group are looking into setting up a new campaign informing youngsters exactly how many units are in certain drinks.
Tony Payne of the FLVA said: "You can't stamp out underage drinking, it will always exist. But you can inform youngsters of the dangers, through education."
