Portland Arms manager removed after police request

A pub manager has been removed from his post after police found wraps of cocaine and traces of the drug at the Portland Arms in West Street, Maidenhead. 

Thames Valley Police applied to have Richard Lee removed as the pub's Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

After tip-offs the police searched the pub on February 2 and found wraps of cocaine in the bar and a bedroom. Several swab tests recorded traces of the drug in the pub's till and toilets on its bar.

The case was heard by the Royal Borough's licensing panel on Tuesday, June 3.

The panel decided to remove Mr Lee as the DPS, and has suspended the pub's licence for one month.

On Tuesday, Mr Lee was informed of the decision and given 21 days to appeal.