Gay Pub Controversy

The licence of the Jack Horner pub in High Street could be under threat if the authorities conclude that licensing regulations have been breached.

A main issue is whether the public had access to the party, and whether the event was openly advertised beforehand.

But the pub management denies that it has broken any licensing rules and says that the party, held earlier this month, was only for invited regulars.

The row blew up after the Jack Horner published pictures of the party on its website.

Internet users could access photographs which carried a "warning" tag. Among these was an uncensored image showing an oral sex act between a naked male stripper and a man from the 80-strong audience.

The more explicit pictures could still be viewed on Monday this week, but they had been "wiped" by the following day.

Pub manager Nick Heryet told the Herald on Tuesday: "The door was locked with only regulars present. Everyone who entered was known to the management. It was a private party evening for people who have supported the pub for the last four years '” lots of guys, girls, mums, dads and uncles. We did not advertise the event outside the pub beforehand. It was all over by 11pm."

Mr Heryet denied that the photograph concerned

depicted a "sexual act".

"It was just a wind-up, with everyone laughing and clapping. It was just like a strippagram, really."

Mr Heryet said that this was only the second such party held by the Jack Horner over the last four years, and he had no immediate plans to stage another.

Mr Heryet said the police had investigated these complaints and had told him that they were happy with the way his business was being conducted.

David Bowen, the borough council's environmental health manager with a licensing remit, told the Herald: "We are concerned about this matter and we will be meeting with our police colleagues to discuss it and decide what appropriate action to take.

"We need to establish with the police how we are going to jointly investigate this and take it forward."

Mr Bowen confirmed later that he had seen the website photographs before they were removed from the website.

Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield, Worthing police district commander, told the Herald: "We are permanently in liaison with the licensing department of the council over issues concerning offences inside pubs and clubs and licensing issues.

"We will be further liaising over the issues raised here and we will be investigating any offences committed."