POLICE were called to the Three Cups pub in Malmesbury after mayor elect Patrick Goldstone was barred indefinitely from the hostelry in the Triangle.

It is believed the councillor has been an unwelcome customer since he took a stand against a British National Party meeting being held on the premises.

Mr Goldstone, who will become the new mayor on May 11, said he was shocked when he went for a drink at the pub last Wednesday night and was asked to leave.

He said: "I am not happy. Nobody likes this sort of thing to happen."

Mr Goldstone was photographed by the press outside the pub in February protesting against a meeting of the right wing British National Party. That meeting was later re-arranged.

Mr Goldstone said he had seen an anonymous letter circulated in the area around The Three Cups, which said he had been barred.

But he did not expect to be refused service by bar staff when he arrived at the pub with some friends near closing time, he said.

Mr Wilcox, on his night off, was called to the pub by staff. He told Mr Goldstone to leave or he would call the police.

Mr Wilcox, known as AJ, said: "In the 18 months I have been here I have only ever barred two people.

"I thought he was boycotting the pub and was quite surprised to see him in here. He was told he was not welcome and was asked to leave. He refused to leave so I refused him service.

"I called the police. I did not want them to appear. I just wanted to clarify my position."

But after the call, four police arrived at the scene.

Mr Goldstone said: "I told him (Mr Wilcox) not to be silly. I have been using the pub for years. I was not going to be told to leave."

Mr Goldstone said Mr Wilcox gave him no reason why he should have been refused.

Mr Goldstone said: "There are people barred from pubs for good sensible reasons. I am not aware of having done anything that would cause me to be barred from the pub.

"He would not give me a reason. I think it was something to do with the aborted BNP meeting at the pub a couple of months ago."

Mr Wilcox would not reveal exactly why Mr Goldstone was barred but he admitted he was unhappy with the publicity Mr Goldstone generated after BNP meeting at the pub was revealed.

Mr Wilcox denied any connections with the BNP. He said: "The reason why he is barred is between Patrick and myself. The BNP meeting never happened and I have nothing to do with it."

A police spokesman confirmed police had been called to the pub and that no action was taken.

Mr Goldstone said he stayed in the pub for a further half hour finishing a beer a friend had bought before leaving.

Mr Wilcox said: "I did not want to make too much of a hoo ha about it. There was never any trouble. I asked him to leave. He refused to and I told staff not to serve him."

He added no other member of the council was included in the ban, which would continue indefinitely on Mr Goldstone.

Eyewitness Steve Cox owner of Malmesbury Wholefoods at Abbey Row said: "I had heard Patrick had been barred but I was not sure if it was true.

"Patrick and AJ had a conversation in a corridor I don't know exactly what was said. I heard AJ say he would call the police, they turned up but did not actually intervene."

Present mayor Charles Vernon was thrown out from ASM Outfitters on the High Street in October after owner Stan Malpas disagreed with the way the council had handled the introduction of the Sunday Market.

Mr Malpas said: "I do not know what happened at the Three Cups but a publican or shopkeeper can refuse anyone's trade if they wish to."