Police to review links with the blood sport lobby
Posted 25th October 2021
Police to review links with the blood sport lobby
In a crushing blow to the barbaric world of blood sports, an exclusive published by ITV News today has revealed the Countryside Alliance involvement with groups overseen by the police’s National Wildlife Crime Unit is under review – this follows comments made by its representative “relating to illegal hunting.”
Phil Davies, the representative for the Countryside Alliance – a leading apologist for fox hunting and blood sports in Britain – was caught on camera telling over 100 representatives of the fox hunting world how to create a ‘smokescreen’ and ‘element of doubt’ when out hunting.
In a landmark court case this month, his quote was directly referenced by Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram when explaining his decision to find leading huntsman Mark Hankinson guilty of advising those who run and manage the sport on how to do it illegally.
Although not charged, Phil Davies’ comments have drawn widespread criticism.
Andy Knott, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Phil Davies’ suspension from any dealings with the National Wildlife Crime Unit is necessary and justified.
"We are also calling on police forces across the country to consider permanently cutting their ties with the Countryside Alliance, the organisation Phil Davies represents when speaking to police.”
Phil Davies had been quoted as saying: “know more about hunting than the saboteurs or the Courts know, but what [video] will do is create that smoke screen, or that element of doubt that we haven’t deliberately hunted a fox, so if nothing else you need to record that and it will help us to write the defence to your Huntsman."
Former Dyfed Powys Police Chief Inspector Phil Davies has been suspended as a member of the UK Priority Delivery Groups (PDG's) for poaching and raptor persecution.
His membership of a new Hunting with Dogs working group is now believed to have been completely compromised.
You can read the ITV exclusive here with comments by the Head of the Police’s National Wildlife Crime Unit Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly questioning the suitability of Phil Davies to be a member of the PDG’s.
