Additional reporting by Davina Jethwa

A pub has been forced to defend itself after a letter circulated falsely stating that “brown people” were not welcome.

Landlord of the Sir John Falstaff in Higham, Jay Laming-Davies, said he has been left “shaken up” that such comments have been fabricated.

It comes after a letter containing an image of the Union Jack was sent to a home saying to “keep this town white”.

It read: “Move love. Nobody wants brown people here

“Don't come to the Sir John Falstaff pub, there are a lot of people who don't welcome immigrants there.

“Keep Britain white. Keep this town white.”

The incident has been reported to the police, and KentOnline understands the envelope and contents have been handed to officers.

Jay has since published a public letter on social media, dismissing the allegations and ensuring “all are welcome” at the Gravesend Road public house.

It said: “Our neighbours and patrons have made me aware of racist and bigoted images that are circulating publicly that state that ‘brown people’ are not welcome at the Sir John Falstaff.

“I am personally nothing short of mortified that Sir John Falstaff has been quoted.

“I do not know who has created this or who has made it public. If I did, it would be referred to the police immediately.

“Let me be clear, as long as I am the landlord of the Sir John Falstaff, there is a zero-tolerance approach to racism or any form of discrimination.

“This horrible action has no support from me, my team or Sir John’s loyal patrons.

“This is a family venue where all are welcome.”

Speaking to KentOnline, the landlord added: “This has really shaken me up.

“I can't abide any form of discrimination. I'm a gay, mixed-race man – my grandfather is Indian.

“So the fact that this is aimed at Indian people – any form of racism is appalling – but it's a bit close to home.

“Also being chair of a board of governors for three primary schools and a special educational needs school, where I pride myself on taking neurodiversity and disabilities seriously, just any form of discrimination to me has quite a personal effect.”

Police have confirmed to KentOnline they are investigating a report that residents of an address in Higham received a letter containing racist threats on Saturday (September 20).

Officers have spoken to the victim and seized the letter for forensic examination.

Enquiries are underway to identify the person responsible.

Officers are appealing to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact them on 01634 792209 quoting 46/164464/25.

The incident comes after more than a hundred people joined anti-immigration marches across Kent at the weekend.

The recent increase in protests around the country follows controversy around the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which is being used to house asylum seekers.

An Ethiopian asylum seeker living there was charged and later found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Since then, there have been many protests around the country, often centred on asylum hotels and other places used to house asylum seekers.

Additionally, the St George’s Cross and Union Flags have been hung from lampposts in recent weeks as a display of anti-immigration and anti-government sentiment, dubbed Operation Raise the Colours.