LANDLORDS left bitter after a U-turn by Stroud MP Neil Carmichael have got their revenge.

Members of the Campaign For Real Ale have asked publicans across the Five Valleys to download and print a Neil Carmichael themed pumpclip to display on their bars.

It features a picture of Mr Carmichael’s face with a long pointy nose above a caption which reads ‘The World’s Biggest Porkies’.

Anger has fermented among real ale supporters after Mr Carmichael voted against legislation aimed at protecting tenant landlords – after telling Camra members and others that he would be supporting the bill.

Mr Carmichael said he would support a new clause in the Small Business Bill, which promised to give more freedoms to pub landlords.

However, when it came to the vote in the House of Commons last month, he voted the other way.

Mr Carmichael said he changed his mind during the debate in the Commons, when he said it became clear there would be ‘unintended consequences associated with the proposed free market rent measures that could affect aspirant landlords and small brewers’.

Among those displaying the pump-clip are Miles Connolly and Lotte Lyster of the the Prince Albert in Rodborough - and they say Mr Carmichael is no longer welcome there.

They believe the clause, which was passed, would give publicans greater freedomwhile also allowing them to save more for their future.

Speaking to the SNJ this week, Mr Carmichael said he found the stunt ‘quite amusing’ and added that he supports anything which ‘promotes the sale of beer’.

He again defended his reasons for voting against the clause.