Stand-off involving police and MP at site of The Crooked House after access blocked

But there were angry scenes as the firm blocked off access for the public from Himley Road onto the site from around 12pm.

Protestors came to the scene and tried to get through and threats were made before police, Mr Longhi, and a planning official from South Staffordshire Council was called.

At one point two protestors sat in the middle of the access road and blocked in a lorry from the construction company until police intervened.

Mr Longhi arrived around 2pm and was at first stopped by workers from the firm and police from accessing the public right of way before a map was brought out and he proceeded to the edge of the site where the famous pub once stood.

The MP said he was not made aware of any work taking place on the site this morning and accused the firm of 'thinking they can move the access points as they see fit.'

He said: "It amazes me they think they can block the public right of way off because they think members of the group, or anyone wanting to access the road, cannot read a map to see where the boundary should be.

"To block off the top of the road where people needed to get in and out, not just walkers or the public but people who were working in other areas near the site, was just wrong.

"The whole situation got out of hand – I am glad we managed to sort it out but going forward we need discussion with the owners, the contractors and the council to make sure this doesn't happen again."

He again urged protestors to remain patient and let the due process of the law take its course, and limit posts on social media, where he said there had been a lot of speculation which 'didn't always help'.

Tony Putnam from Putnam Construction Services said staff were working on asbestos issues that had arisen on the site and to try and see which parts of the rubble, including bricks, could be salvaged.

Catherine Gutteridge, from South Staffordshire Council's planning department said work by the contractors had now been suspended until an investigation into the nature of it had been concluded.

She said: "The owners of the site were in touch with us on Monday morning to inform us they would be working there.

"We will engage with them and the contractors to ascertain the work that they will be doing going forward and will work with them to make sure it is within the law and the planning regulation that exist on that site."

Staffordshire Police said in a statement: "We are aware of a small protest earlier in the day at Himley as we continue to investigate an arson attack at The Crooked House.

"At 1.26pm today, we received reports that a group of protestors had turned up at the site.

"Local officers are currently in attendance as a precaution and to reassure the community.

"We recognise the strength of local feeling following the loss of a significant cultural landmark.

"Our investigation is live and ongoing. A CCTV trawl, forensics and witness accounts continue to be worked through as we try to piece together the circumstances which led to the fire.

"We continue to appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to get in touch via 101 or by using the Live Chat feature on our website.

"Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111."

The Crooked House burned down on August 5 and was totally demolished without permission two days later, with Staffordshire Police treating the fire as arson.

The historic pub known as Britain’s wonkiest, was sold by owners Marston’s to a private buyer just days before the fire.

Since it was demolished, there have been gatherings at the site and signs and other tributes have been placed among the rubble.

A group on Facebook called Save the Crooked House (Let's get it Rebuilt) has over 20,000 members, and a meeting was held at Himley Hall last Wednesday to plot a way forwards.

Bricks and other items said to be 'original' material from the Crooked House were also put up for sale on Facebook, just days after its destruction.

A number of posts were shared by members of the 'Save the Crooked House' Facebook group showing items such as bricks and the gold letters of the pub's sign up for sale by fast-acting 'looters'.

One post showed a man standing on the rubble holding the gold-coloured 'C' of the pub's sign, and later a screenshot was shared showing the same item up for sale on Facebook Marketplace priced at £1m.

Another listing showed a close-up and generic photo of a pile of bricks, priced at £50, which are claimed to have been part of the pub's structure.