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Ciggie Get-Out Clause Up In Smoke

A pub's plan to declare itself an embassy for a Caribbean island in a bid to get round the forthcoming smoking ban in England has been thwarted by the Foreign Office.

Landlord promises to fight on

Landlord Bob Beech was hoping that the Wellington Arms in Southampton could become the UK base for the uninhabited island of Redonda.

It follows the recent granting of a Redondan knighthood to Mr Beech by the ruler of the tiny island, King Robert the Bald, who lives in Antigua and whose real name is Bob Williamson.

Mr Beech believed he could claim embassy status for his pub after it was earlier this month declared a consulate for Redonda by the island's official cardinal Edward Elder, a regular drinker at the pub.

The status would mean the premises would be immune from the ban on smoking in all work places coming to force on Sunday.

But a Foreign Office spokeswoman said Redonda was a territory of Antigua and Barbuda, and therefore was not entitled to an embassy or high commission in the UK.

Councillor Gavin Dick, of Southampton City Council, added: "We are following with interest the Wellington Arms public house matter.

"Environmental health officers will be speaking to the landlord to advise him of the legal position when the smokefree legislation is implemented on July 1.

"If they are not granted embassy status, which requires formal accreditation by the Foreign Office, then they will be covered by the new law - which we will be enforcing."

However the landlord of the Wellington Arms insisted the battle was not yet over.

Mr Beech told Sky News: "Don't worry - we have a Plan B. It's cunning in its simplicity."