12 April 2023 , 15:49
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A pub owner embroiled in a racist dolls controversy made a vile 'hanging' comment in an unearthed Facebook post.
Chris Ryley's boozer The White Hart Inn, in Grays, Essex, was visited by police earlier this month after reports of a hate crime.
The 64-year-old's wife Benice was quizzed by officers before a collection of 15 dolls was removed.
The couple claim they have received them as gifts over the years from punters.
The rag doll character, which first appeared in children's literature in the late 19th Century, is now largely recognised as a racist caricature.
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But the Ryleys appear to see no harm in hanging the figures in their pub and Benice has allegedly vowed to reinstate them.
In a social media post from March 11, 2016, Chris uploaded a photo of the dolls hanging in his pub, and wrote "we have our golliwogs, yaaay".
The Facebook post from 2016, shows Chris Ryley appear to make a joke about lynch mobs (Christopher Ryley/Facebook)Benice lightheartedly questioned whether they are legal, and Chris said: "They used to hang them in Mississippi years ago."
This appears to be a reference to lynch mobs in America's Deep South.
CCTV shows six officers walking into the pub and questioning Benice at a table during the raid on April 4.
One officer inspects the bar before gathering the dolls and placing them into a clear evidence bag.
Chris and Benice Ryley say the dolls were given as gifts by punters (Benice Ryley / SWNS)The couple have run the White Hart Inn for the past 17 years after taking over when the pub had become run down.
Speaking to Thurrock Nub News, Benice said: "Apparently a visitor to the pub had been quite upset about them and made a complaint."
She explained that Chris is abroad until the middle of next month and police told her as he is the licensee they need to interview him.
The couple previously refused to remove the dolls after the local authority received a complaint in 2018.
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The display appears to have been in the pub for several years (Benice Ryley / SWNS)Benice added: "I don't understand why we have to go through all this again.
"I understand that some people may not like them and they are entitled to that view, but they don't have to come into the pub.
"As far as we are aware we are not breaking any laws by displaying them, and that was proved last time when we were investigated."
She added that the couple are "definitely not racist" and said the actual racists are those "who complain".
Police bagged up the dolls during a raid earlier this month (Benice Ryley / SWNS)The pub faced some backlash online.
One person commented on a Facebook post, saying "I hope she's into racism" under the pub's advertisement of a singer performing at the venue.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We are investigating an allegation of hate crime in Grays reported to us on 24 February.
"On Tuesday, 4 April, we attended a location off Argent Street, Grays, and seized several items in connection with our investigation."
Benice was also quizzed by officers (Benice Ryley / SWNS)"We are investigating an allegation of a hate crime in Grays.
"The report was made to us on 24 February after a member of the public reported being distressed after attending a venue off Argent Street.
"The investigation is being carried out under Section 4(a) of the Public Order Act 1986 and Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
"We have regularly discussed the progression of this case with the Crown Prosecution Service and on Tuesday 4 April, five officers visited a location off Argent Street, Grays, and seized several items in connection with that investigation.
The couple have reportedly vowed to reinstate the dolls (Benice Ryley / SWNS)"No one has been arrested or charged in connection with the investigation and our enquiries are ongoing.
"The force is proud of the work we do prevent crime, tackle offenders and build trust and confidence in all our communities."
The force was reported to have been directly criticised by Home Secretary Suella Braverman for its approach and said its focus should be catching real criminals instead of seizing dolls.
A Home Office source told the Daily Mail: "The Home Secretary's views have now been made very plain to Essex Police so they're under no illusions.
Essex Police denies being directly criticised by Home Secretary Suella Braverman (PA)"Police forces should not be getting involved in this kind of nonsense.
"It's about tackling anti-social behaviour, stopping violence against women and girls, attending burglaries and catching criminals – not seizing dolls."
However, Essex Police has rubbished the claims.
It said: "We are aware some elements of the media have reported that Essex Police has been contacted directly by the Home Secretary in relation to this investigation.
"At the time of writing, this is categorically not true...
"In addition, as is the case in all investigations across every police force, we maintain operational independence from the Home Office which ensures that every investigation is carried out without fear or favour.