Matt Western MP takes on the Countryside Alliance

MP determined to find out what Warwickshire Hunt's 'secret protocol' involved

It has been almost two years since Warwickshire Police issued the Warwickshire Hunt with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) for causing road chaos. Controversially, in August 2023 the force suddenly dropped the CPN, saying it had come to a private agreement with the hunt. MP Matt Western called it a "super scandal". And now he has found himself at loggerheads with hunting lobbyists the Countryside Alliance (CA).

Admirably, Western has refused to let the issue of the CPN go, working tirelessly to find out why it was dropped; who was involved in negotiations with the hunt; and what exactly was in the secret protocol that replaced the CPN. He has relentlessly tried to get answers from the police and from Philip Seccombe, Warwickshire's pro-hunting Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), but has received none. Anti-hunt campaigners have long been suspicious that Seccombe had something to do with the decision to drop the CPN.

A truly independent inquiry

On 30 September, Seccombe launched a review in response to the way the force has dealt with the Warwickshire Hunt’s anti-social behaviour. But pro-wildlife campaigners have little confidence in the process.

Last week, Western spoke in parliament, saying:

"The Police and Crime Commissioner, who receives financial support from the Countryside Alliance, claims that he knew nothing of the protocol. The Chief Constable refused to give me a copy, and now she's resigned, claiming retirement. Trust in the PCC, and the leadership of the Warwickshire Police, has been seriously damaged. So will [the new government] meet with me to discuss the need for a truly independent inquiry, as opposed to the sham one being undertaken by the PCC?"

Home Office minister, Jess Phillips, confirmed that she will meet with Western. She said:

"It is vital that the public can trust that those who police us, and who are in charge of our police, are held to account as everybody else should be."

Countryside Alliance attack

In response to Western's question in parliament, the Countryside Alliance's Tim Bonner angrily penned a letter to the politician. The organisation concentrated on an alleged "false comment" that the MP made - namely that PCC Seccombe has received financial support from the CA. It complained:

"Your baseless and false statement has been repeated in the media, causing significant reputational harm. We cannot allow such false assertions to go unchallenged."

The CA then demanded that Western "correct the record by means of a Public Order", otherwise it will "draw this misuse of privilege to the attention of the Speaker." Bonner went on to threaten:

"I invite you to repeat your assertion outside the House of Commons so that our legal team can begin taking the appropriate action."

Focusing on the wrong issue

In a letter of reply, the MP told Bonner:

"It is disappointing you have chosen to attack me for speaking up for many concerned Warwickshire residents and not felt it appropriate to speak up for rural communities impacted by the behaviour of the Warwickshire Hunt and those seriously concerned about the "secret protocol" with Warwickshire Police. Indeed you don't mention this."

Western went on to ask the CA to confirm whether:

"a. The Countryside Alliance
b. Any trustees of the Countryside Alliance
c. Any of the senior leadership team of the Countryside Alliance

have ever donated to:

1. Philip Seccombe...either for election or re-election as PCC?
2. Any Conservative member of parliament?
3. Any Conservative Association in Warwickshire since 2010?"

These are pertinent questions to ask, especially since the CA openly states that it "lobbies MPs and other decision-makers to help prevent unjust changes to legislation which may affect the future of hunting with hounds or have an impact on our way of life."

As for PCC Seccombe - who is a member of the CA - Protect the Wild has previously written extensively about his bias when it comes to hunting. We detailed numerous social media friends connected to the Warwickshire Hunt – and the list was long.

If Mr Western succeeds in being granted a fully independent inquiry, the public might finally learn whether Seccombe, or ex-Chief Constable Debbie Tedds, had roles in the secret protocol. Indeed, Seccombe himself was keen to keep the protocol under wraps, previously saying that it could remain secret under Section 32 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Section 32 essentially says that there is no right of access under the FOI Act to information contained in court records as it gives an absolute exemption from disclosure of such information.

Western said:

"I will not stop until we get the truth, we have transparency and can establish precisely what deal was done between Warwickshire Hunt, Philip Seccombe and Warwickshire Police."

Matt Western must be commended for consistently putting the policing of fox hunting at the forefront of his priorities. There are not many politicians who would dedicate the same effort to wildlife. We look forward to reading the CA's response to Western's important questions.

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Sabbing and monitoring - protecting wildlife from the people who want to harm animals - can be dangerous and exhausting. But we, us, you, the groups we support are making a genuine difference, out in the field where it is needed. Hunts are losing support and being watched like never before. So, thank you to the groups out on the front line - and thank you to every single one of you who are supporting them.