MP attacks Fair Pint over 'discrediting' tactics
A Labour MP has attacked the Fair Pint campaign for trying to "discredit" him after he suggested issues apart from the tie were to blame for the industry's problems.
Eric Illsley, MP for Barnsley Central, last month spoke out at the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) AGM against the All-Party Save the Pub group, saying it had become "obsessed" with the tie.
And yesterday Illsley revealed at a Save the Pub group meeting in Parliament, that Fair Pint had written to the FLVA trying to "discredit" him.
Earlier at the meeting Simon Clarke of Fair Pint complained that he had been accused of "being a liar" in speaking out about the pubcos.
But a clearly angry Illsley said: "You are accusing people of using discrediting tactics, but are you not guilty of the same thing?"
Clarke said he was unaware any letters had been sent.
And Fair Pint member Steve Corbett said he was "concerned and surprised" by Illsley's comments.
"I would have expected that if he had concerns about the Fair Pint campaign he would have contacted us directly.
"Members of Fair Pint have emailed Mr Illsley on a number of occasions over recent weeks providing him with information about Fair Pint and offering to meet him to talk about our activities but we have not yet had a response. We are more than happy to meet Mr Illsley and to hear details of any specific concerns he might have. "
Earlier at the meeting, MPs were given an update on progress being made on the pubco issue. Nick Bish, representing the Independent Pub Confederation, said the new group had "startled the establishment" with its positive action.
He also hit out at the British Beer & Pub Association's new proposed code of practice. "It seems a nonsense that the BBPA should prepare a code where the only sanction is perhaps a ticking off," he said.
Meanwhile, Andrew Cave, head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said the group would be "putting all its resources" behind helping the IPC and lobbying MPs.
The FSB, which has 4,600 licensee members, wants a "robust ombudsman" for tied tenants in dispute, fully transparent rent reviews and "where appropriate, the tie removed," he said.
Cave added: "It's perfectly obvious the current system is broken and the negative connotations go further than just this sector."
MP Greg Mulholland, chairman of the Save the Pub group, said the formation of the IPC was a "hugely positive step".
He concluded the meeting by saying: "No change is not an option and simply window dressing and moving the furniture around is not a change. We need real change and reform."
