Mr Ates of Atesh in Grafton Gate East told Milton Keynes Council on Tuesday he was “very sad” at the death of 28-year-old Nagiib Maxamed, who was stabbed at the premises on December 27.
Mr Ates spoke at a licensing committee following an urgent request from Thames Valley Police (TVP) to suspend Atesh’s licence – and because the licensing objectives for the prevention of crime and disorder and of public safety “are not being met”.
An application made by the police said how staff failed to immediately report the incident to emergency services.
TVP also outlined during the meeting how it believed Atesh failed to immediately release CCTV footage of the night upon request, or to immediately report the incident to emergency services, or to close down the event and only did so when officers insisted.
Mr Ates told the committee he wanted to “work with the police” in its investigation, adding he had spoken with officers “every day”.
He also told the committee he would no longer hire the venue out for private functions.
A second man was also injured during the incident, which happened at around 1.30am.
As of today (6/1), Five people have now been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. A 25-year-old man, a 29-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman and two 21-year-old men from Birmingham.
They all currently remain in police custody.
A decision was made for Atesh have its licence suspended.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Ates: “I’m very sad for what happened that night – something I don’t want to happen that people die next to my premises or on the street. I want to be together with the community to stop knife crime.
“I called ten security that night that tried to make it safe for people and…we searched everyone, every single person we searched.”
“When I saw the police came, I told the DJ: “Stop the music now, we are going to close.”
“They think we didn’t help, the police – that’s not true. I want to work close with them. What they ask, everything I’ve given to them. I have nothing to hide.”
Anyone with information should call Thames Valley Police on 101 or they can report online on our website, quoting reference 43210581126.
If you do not wish to speak with the police but have information you can report 100% anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
