THE RSPCA has been accused of using the courts for “naked political campaigning” following the collapse of the prosecution case against a Ledbury huntsman.
At Worcester Magistrates’ Court last week, the charity dropped a charge of illegal fox hunting against Will Goffe – relating to an incident at Castlemorton Common on March 4 this year. The prosecution was based on covert surveillance evidence collected by the League Against Cruel Sports.
The decision came after the RSPCA reviewed evidence, including enhanced footage, with its legal team.
Tim Bonner, director of campaigns for the Countryside Alliance, said: “The RSPCA has been exposed using the courts for naked political campaigning.
“The combination of a high-profile hunt around the Gloucestershire badger cull zone was too much to resist.”
RSPCA spokesman Sophie Wilkinson, said: “We have withdrawn this case after we received and reviewed the forensic evidence. We were not acting politically.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here