Union Jack postmaster quits

A Sri Lankan postmaster who refused to serve customers who could not understand English and flew the Union Jack flag outside his home resigned yesterday, saying he had been forced out of his job.

Deva Kumarasiri quit his post at the Sneinton Boulevard post office in Carlton, Nottingham, but said a minority of customers had left him no choice.

The 40-year-old said most of his customers had supported his stance after he revealed he had turned away five people for "wasting time and holding up the queue" by not speaking English.

But he said a minority of customers had launched a petition against him and that he would now move to a different Nottingham post office, although he hopes to return to his original job in the future.

"I was forced out by a small minority of people who don't want to integrate into society," he said.