A PUB could lose its licence over claims of drug use and selling fake and smuggled alcohol.

Trading standards feared drinks sold at the Royal Standard posed a health risk to customers and police said its landlords had failed to keep rowdy football fans in check.

They raided the Queen’s Road pub in Brighton as part of a serious organised crime operation in June, seizing more than 170 bottles which were thought to be illegal or counterfeit, a city council licensing report said. Some of the stock was bought from Salvatore Capuano, of Bacchus Europe Ltd, who was linked to previous sales of illicit alcohol, the report said.

Councillors debated whether the pub should lose its licence during a private meeting yesterday. A decision is expected on Monday.

Alma Dema and Nick Humphries were the listed licensees. Ms Dema, also the designated premises supervisor at the time, is related to people arrested on suspicion of drug dealing, a letter from police published in the report claimed.

The pair had a "long history of involvement with illegal alcohol."

Some of the alcohol was stolen and some had come from Station Xpress, a now closed off licence owned by Ms Dema at 65 Queen's Road which she now runs as licensed café La Gigo Gi, the report claimed.

Trading standards manager Jo Player said: "It is clear these premises have been linked to criminal activity at a time when Alma Dema was actively involved in the business as a manager."

Brighton chief superintendent Nev Kemp said in the report police noticed "problems with football supporters, public disorder and [had] intelligence drugs were being consumed on the premises" in June 2014. Despite a meeting with the pub, problems persisted and police had reasonable grounds to believe the premises was being used for criminal purposes, he said.

Trading standards bosses said they had "no confidence" in the competency of the management, adding: "Businesses willing to sell illegal alcohol receive an unfair trading advantage over other businesses. By supplying illegal alcohol, the business risked supplying dangerous alcohol to their customers."

The committee was urged to revoke the licence.

Ms Dema was out of the country at the time of the raid. She claimed Mr Capuano duped her and she only bought alcohol from him once, the report said. She said she would lose her house if the licence was revoked, the documents said.

Trading standards said none of the alcohol tested contained dangerous substances but added: "There is no guarantee that all bottles of the alcohol are safe."

Admiral Taverns, which owns the pub, did not respond when contacted by The Argus. Ms Dema declined to comment. Mr Humphries was unavailable for comment.

Mr Capuano said Bacchus Europe Ltd had ceased trading, adding: "I do not know what you are talking about," before hanging up.

COUNCIL HOLD LICENCE REVIEW BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

COUNCILLORS decided to discuss the Royal Standard licence review in secret. 

We have not been able to tell you what members of Brighton and Hove City Council's licensing panel thought of the report into the pub because they opted to meet in private after "new information" came to light about the pub yesterday morning. 

Originally the meeting was open to the press and the public. Only The Argus attended but our reporter was barred from the meeting after chairman Jackie O'Quinn, supported by the committee, moved to meet behind closed doors.

She, and the democratic services officer present, said the entire meeting needed to be confidential because the information would be discussed throughout. 

The decision was not contested by anyone on the panel. The Argus did contest this but was refused a chance to appeal. We do not know if the information supported the application, or defended the pub.

The sub-committee exercised powers under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 allowing councils to exclude the press and the public from meetings to discuss something confidentially. Though they are urged to be open, transparent and meet in public wherever possible. 

Tony Jaffa, head of media law at Foot Anstey, said: "They operated within the law but you would have thought in this day and age they would want to be more open and giving out more information. There is a clear public interest in this report. They can hear representations from the press and decide if all or part of a meeting is in private. It is all at their discretion."

A spokeswoman said the council aims to hold all meetings in public, adding: "The licensing panels operate in a quasi-judicial manner and on occasion will need to consider matters in closed session."

Councillor O'Quinn did not respond when asked for a statement.