The fire brigade attend the fire at Rick Stein’s Porthleven restaurant (Picture: SWNS)

A separatist group calling for Cornish independence has claimed responsibility for firebombing a restaurant and claims it has its first member willing to die for the cause.

The Cornish Republican Army, previously known as the Cornish National Liberation Army, said it set Rick Stein Porthleven on fire on June 12, in anger about the celebrity chef having such a presence in the area.

In a blog post, which has since been removed, they said: ‘Our organisation has grown and we now have one member who is prepared to pay the ultimate price in the battle for Kernow.

‘She is prepared to sacrifice herself although we shall not ask for this lightly – only as a last measure.’


Celtic Cross flag that the Cornish National Movement has adopted to represent their cause

The statement said their next move would be to attack second homes owned by affluent people from the rest of the UK – a source of resentment as it creates ‘ghost towns’ and local people may not be able to get on the property ladder.



Rick Stein has opened several restaurants in Cornwall, leading to Padstow being nicknamed ‘Padstein’. His Porthlevan restaurant was badly damaged by fire but survived the blaze which started where gas cylinders were being stored.

In their statement, the CRA claimed to have 30 volunteers in Active Service Units.

Pubs and bars 'could close next week' as Boris Johnson urged 'act now'

They are tasked with things like bringing down ‘red blood flags’ (the English flag of St George Cross).

Another form of ‘direct action’ popular with separatists is blacking out the Tudor Rose signifying English Heritage on road signs with spray paint.

The group said they weren’t responsible for it, but supported it.

The fire at Rick Stein’s (Picture: SWNS)

The statement continued: ‘We have also issued warnings to owners of holiday businesses flying the blood cross flag.

‘We have ceased activities against Stein and Oliver, but our activities against second and expensive English owned homes will continue.

Returning holidaymaker who went on a pub crawl 'responsible for Bolton spike'

‘We also intend to target those authorities including the EIS police who victimise Cornish people. What have we to fear or lose – nothing.

‘The English have never allowed freedom to any peoples without a fight and although we understand those who believe that freedom can be won through democracy or political means, we do not accept this.

‘What has really been won this past 50 years? – nothing other than an ethnic cleansing of the people of Kernow.’