For a long time now there have been rumblings from some individuals who seem to support hunting, shooting and fishing about the personal lives and characteristics of those whom they perceive as being their opponents. This seems to include anyone who draws attention to lawbreaking by individuals engaged in those activities or seeks to reduce or investigate it.
Deeply personal attacks have been made on television presenter Chris Packham and in recent days have extended to posts suggesting that a ‘lesbian clique’ is seeking to destroy field sports and the country way of life. We have never met Chris Packham, the head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform or anyone from the Raptor Persecution UK blog so we have no knowledge of their health challenges or sexual preferences. These are simply people who are, in the case of Chris Packham and the RPUK Blog drawing attention to documented lawbreaking or in the case of the head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the Cabinet Secretary, doing their jobs by trying to combat it. The groundless speculation regarding their supposed sexual preferences or health challenges is completely irrelevant and frankly revolting. We are sure that the various bodies that represent hunting, shooting and fishing interests throughout the UK, and indeed anyone not firmly trapped in a mindset that might have been acceptable in the eighteenth century (although probably not) will wish condemn such comments unreservedly. We know that many of them read this blog so step forward and let us hear you do that.
In a world where presenting scientific facts to the public, investigating crime or managing a government department attracts vile abuse and completely unfounded allegations we all need to make our positions clear. Decent minded people will judge those who do not do so accordingly.
Wild Mammal Persecution UK 