Welshpool pubs consider legal action over Nazi slur

Licensees in Welshpool are considering taking legal action after an article in the New Statesman depicted the town's pubs as full of Nazis.

They are furious that a story, written by freelance reporter Jack Jameson, was allowed to appear in the New Statesman, even though it wasn't entirely true.

And despite the fact that the journalist has now apologised claiming that it was supposed to be an allegory, many people think that it could damage the town's reputation.

The story centered on allegations that drinkers in a pub in the Mid Wales market town of Welshpool, gave Nazi salutes while listening to the German national anthem.

Michael Davies, licensee of the Mermaid pub in Welshpool told the Publican: "It certainly doesn't show the town in a good light and it doesn't even name the pub which puts a slur on everyone.

"The fact that the journalist has apologised is no consolation - the damage is done now. If the town he is talking about is fictional then he should have made up a fictional name."

The secretary of the Licensed Victuallers Association, Stuart Jones, said, he couldn't comment on the article because the LVA is currently taking legal advice.

But not everyone was offended by the story. Stuart Jones, who runs the Pheasant Inn in the town, said he took it all as a joke.

"It's all been blown out of proportion," Mr Jones said. "The journalist has now issued a full apology so I don't see what the problem is."

Freelance journalist Mr Jameson said the story was a composite of many pubs.

"If anybody has taken it seriously, of course I apologise. I've got a great fondness for Welshpool and the surrounding countryside," Mr Jameson said.