steve_b_wales Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 We have just issued this press release and will be following up as detailed. Simon. BASC calls for resignation of North Yorkshire councillor over suicide comments The UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, (BASC) has called for the immediate resignation of an elected local councillor and animal rights extremist who posted comments on facebook mocking the suicide of a former soldier and game dealer. A further comment called for everyone who lawfully owns a gun and shoots live quarry to “kill themselves.” The comments were made by Thomas Woodward, an elected council member of Ryedale District Council and Pickering Town Council in North Yorkshire. Commenting on facebook on a news report on an inquest into the suicide of Allan Ellis from Bacup, Lancashire, Councillor Woodward said “Best use of a gun I can think of.” A second comment said: “If you choose to own a gun and kill for pleasure, then it’s best you kill yourself.” BASC’s chief executive Richard Ali said: “We are seeking the immediate resignation of this man from any elected office and a full apology to the family of Mr. Ellis for the distress he has caused. Mocking the suicide of anyone is absolutely unacceptable. Going further and stating that lawful gun owners should “kill themselves” is despicable behaviour. This man is not fit to hold a public office.” “In a register of financial and other interests Councillor Woodward has declared himself to be a member of the League Against Cruel Sports and the Hunt Saboteurs Association. BASC is calling for the League Against Cruel Sports to distance itself from these comments from one of its members and to confirm they are a breach of the values of the organisation.” BASC is contacting Ryedale District Council and Pickering Town Council to inform them of the facebook comments and to ask them to also publically distance themselves from Councillor Woodward’s comments and to take disciplinary action. BASC will also be contacting party group leaders on the council. The comments were published on a facebook page run by the Hunt Saboteurs Association and littered with sick comments such as “one scumbag less”, “he deserved it” “he did the right thing” and “a true coward till the end”. Richard Ali said “We know from past actions that animal rights extremists will stop at nothing in their misguided hatred of anyone involved in lawful shooting activities. These facebook comments and attacks show their true colours and will be roundly condemned.” ENDS For more information please call the BASC press office on 01244 573052 Comments can be viewed on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/HuntSaboteursAssociation Well done. I really hope that this 'person' will lose his councillor position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) Have just got in for lunch and checked to see I have an e-mail from Rydale Council. It thanks me for my e-mail regarding the comments made by the muppet in question and states that their Council Solicitor, a Mr Anthony Winsnip ( or something like that ) will get back to me with a response within 5 working days. Sorted. Have just seen BASC's response also, so well done to them. Edited December 12, 2014 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scobydog Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) Well done Basc, I've had a reply from the local paper who are now looking into what is going on. S Edited December 12, 2014 by scobydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 A well worded release from BASC - well done for being so active and alert to this. Disgraceful comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Good morning Mr R*******Thank-you for your message.I have forwarded your comments to Anthony Winship, Council Solicitor who will respond within five working days though more time may be required in some cases.If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us on the details below,Kind regardsPaul HaworthBusiness ImprovementT:01653 600666 Ext: 280E: paul.haworth@ryedale.gov.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 It may be a 'stock' response, but it's one they wont relish having to send. Well done all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mighty Prawn Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 nice work guys, good to see the antis aren't the only ones who can lobby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Clarke Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Please see facebook and twitter feeds too - please spread the word, https://www.facebook.com/BASCuk @BASCnews We have written to the League, to local councils and to local MPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peskyfoxs Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Well done BASC, really annoyed me when I saw his comments last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant1 Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) what a disgusting man,and I suppose he does not mind the slaughtering of all the pigs that goes into his b&b business. well done basc keep up the good work. Edited December 12, 2014 by ant1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 sent complaint as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peskyfoxs Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) Just looking at some of his other posts He posted http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/03/two-men-floodwater-footbridge-collapses here he is again http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/9898456.Apology_demand_over_poultry_unit_comments/?ref=mc Edited December 12, 2014 by Peskyfoxs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 He sounds a nice man, doesnt he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 I note he has trip advisor icons all over his B&B web page. Perhaps a review on there flagging up his habit of gloating over peoples deaths might go down well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 I've had the 'stock' reply from the council as well, that the matter has been forwarded to their solicitor, 5 days, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 And in his own words: http://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/1476979/pickering-councillor-in-storm-over-facebook-suicide-comments/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 He doesn't like BASC does he! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 A remarkable piece of back tracking and constructing an entirely new back story/agenda to justify his comments. Quite a remarkably ignorant chap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Well done BASC for jumping on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peskyfoxs Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 What an absolute idiot, that has to be the most feable attempt at back tracking ever. It's basc's fault if the family get upset and they represented Michael Ryan and gamekeepers who kill birds of prey The man shouldn't be running a bath never mind helping run a council Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Thats deeply offensive, I too have sent a complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 well done BASC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 I've certainly noted one thing, that is you don't have to be well educated to become a member of the local council. The bloke is a fool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) Have just listened to the link of him being interviewed by Minster FM. His increasingly desperate backtracking was a joy to listen to, reminding us all of the old adage 'when you're in a hole, stop digging'. It got to the point where he was blaming BASC for his comments making it into the public domain ! Brilliant. He was squirming like an impaled worm on a line. Edited December 12, 2014 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 I feel sorry that he is representative of good folk. The radio presenter has him sized up perfectly. Now is he better than Brand? Time for both of them to take up scuba diving to save our ears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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