Fury as convicted terrorist threatens to sue two more Saracen’s Head landlords over ‘racist’ signs – as one owner warns court battle could cost him his business

Two more Saracen’s Head pubs are being targeted for legal action by a convicted terrorist who claims to be ‘deeply offended’ by their names.

Khalid Baqa, who was jailed for four years for preparing jihadist propaganda, sparked outrage by launching a £2,000 compensation bid against The Saracen’s Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

He described the ‘depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk’ on the pub’s sign as racist and suggests the depiction ‘incites violence’.

Two more pubs have now received threats from Baqa, who has threatened to target 30 other premises with the same name in the unlikely event his action is successful.

Simon Belsey, 49, who runs The Saracen’s Head next to the River Wye in Hereford, has received two letters from the 60-year-old threatening legal action.

Meanwhile, Peter Dillingham, 59, the owner of a 17th-century hostelry with the same name in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, has received emails threatening to ‘escalate matters’ if he does not change its name within two weeks. 

Mr Belsey, who took over his 300-year-old pub in May, said he could be forced to close if he loses a civil action. 

The Saracens Head in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, is one of the two pubs now being targeted by Baqa  

Simon Belsey, 49, who runs The Saracen’s Head next to the River Wye in Hereford,  (pictured) has received two letters from the 60-year-old threatening legal action

‘It’s always been The Saracen’s Head,’ he told the Telegraph, adding that the name dates back to 1705. 

‘To start dictating what they can be called is ridiculous. I just think there’s so much other stuff going on in the world.

‘They are not going to change the name. It’s The Saracen’s Head and it will stay The Saracen’s Head.’

Mr Dillingham was similarly defiant, telling The Sun: ‘He said he had seen our sign and was deeply offended as it showed a man with a tanned complexion in a turban.

‘You only need to take one look to see that’s not the case…it’s obvious he’s never stepped foot outside the pub.

‘It’s frankly ridiculous – a convicted terrorist scared of a pub sign.’

Baqa’s bizarre legal action against The Saracen’s Head Inn in Chesham was revealed last week.  

Pub landlord Robbie Hayes vowed to fight back against the lawsuit – and he is being backed by other Saracens Head establishments across the UK. 

The convicted jihadist said the sign of the Saracen’s Head Inn ‘incites violence’ 

Pub landlord Robbie Hayes (pictured) has vowed to fight the lawsuit, calling it a ‘complete joke’

Caroline Machell-Ranson, who is head chef at the Saracens Head in Kings Langley, previously raged to MailOnline: ‘This is just ridiculous and is crazy that he is offended by the name. 

‘This pub has been here since the 16th century and everyone in the village knows about it, and there have never been any complaints. 

‘This is a just a village pub that has been here since 1615, and although I do not know when it was called The Saracens Head,  the name should stay.’

The pub sign features a man brandishing a sword.

Inside one corner of the pub is a fireplace are half a dozen ornaments featuring the venue’s symbol. 

Another member of staff at the pub, who asked not to be named, said it was ‘madness’ for the convicted jihadi to demand the name be changed.

‘You cannot whitewash history. The name has been around for hundreds of years and it is what it is,’ said one worker.

A third added: ‘This man needs to get a life. What makes it worse is that he is a convicted terrorist.’

The Saracen’s Head in Kings Langley shows a man brandishing a sword and a shield  

Inside one corner of the pub is a fireplace with half a dozen carved faces depicting the pub’s symbol 

MailOnline visited another Saracens Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, where punters were equally offended by Baqa and his demands.

‘I think he has got a bloody cheek and should be told where to go,’ said one local.

‘What’s next? Will a pub called The White Lion be sued because someone is afraid of animals or because it has the word white in the name.

‘There are so many pubs with a rich history that you could question their name. It is utterly ridiculous.’

And referring to Baqa, Ian Frith said: ‘To be honest I am offended by his orange beard. 

‘Even if the Saracens Head was called The Jihadi Arms it would not bother me.

‘There is so much these days that offends people and for no good reason that you become afraid to say anything.

‘I’ve never heard anyone complain about the name and have lived here for 20 years. It’s a local pub and people like it.’

Ian Frith, who spoke from the Saracens Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, joked that he wouldn’t be bothered if the pub was called ‘The Jihadi Arms’ 

Many others at the popular pub in Towcester shared the outrage that the Saracens Head might face legal action from a convicted terrorist

David Morgan, who sat inside the pub nursing a pint, added: ‘There are much more important things to worry about than a name.

‘I guess this guy is just trying his luck to try and get some money. The name should stay and the pub should not back down.’

Lynn Suter said: ‘The name doesn’t offend me, and I think it is awful that he is trying to get money from the landlord.’

The term Saracen was previously used to refer to Muslims and is believed to date back to the Crusades. 

The addition of the word ‘head’ in pub names reflects the previous custom for referring to pubs by the illustration on their sign. 

Pub signs often show only a head and shoulder’s portrait, hence ‘The Saracen’s Head’.