Daily Mail licensing protestor exposed
The protestor at the centre of a Daily Mail story accusing pubs of "blackmail" against local residents is a freelance journalist who writes for the Mail on Sunday. The story, published by the Daily Mail last month, prompted Home Secretary Charles Clarke to wade into the furore over the rights of local residents under the Licensing Act.
The minister accused the pub trade of trying to stifle protests by threatening local residents with legal costs. It is understood that licensing minister James Purnell asked for details of the case.
Toby Walne, a 38-year-old father of two who lives in South Woodford, East London, objected to the application by the local Hog's Head to shut at 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, claiming the pub is noisy with "lots of shouting and thumping music". His story hit the headlines when he accused the pub's owner, Laurel Pub Company, of a "thinly-veiled threat" when it sent a letter claiming it would seek legal costs over the case.
Despite his concerns, the appeal was thrown out, the pub has been granted its extended hours and Laurel has not sought costs from Mr Walne.
When The Publican questioned Mr Walne he claimed he had not complained about the noise previously because he could live with 11.30pm closing but not with 1am. He said: "The fact that I am a journalist has nothing to do with it.
"But because I am a journalist I knew it was a story. I work for the Mail on Sunday and not the Daily Mail."
Manager of the Hog's Head Kerry O'Reilly said she understood if a resident wanted to object. "Mr Walne has every right to complain. But we are not known as a 'trouble' pub so for the story to hit the Mail was surprising."
A spokesman for Laurel said it had also been surprised at the Daily Mail's interest in what was a local matter, and did not know that Toby Walne worked for the sister newspaper. "It has never been our intention to rile or annoy local residents, far from it," he said.
"We bent over backwards to be helpful and reasonable, speaking to the objectors, including Toby Walne, and advising them of the appeals process ourselves."
The spokesman said Laurel had made it clear to Mr Walne before the appeals hearing that it would not be seeking any costs if it was successful. "We would still very much like to sit down with residents to explain that we are going to do everything possible to ensure extended opening does not interfere with their lives," he added.
"We hope that Mr Walne will also choose to attend."
