Alliance calls for resignation of Cllr over distasteful comments

The Countryside Alliance has today (12 December) written to Ryedale District Council in North Yorkshire, demanding the immediate resignation of Cllr Tommy Woodward over highly distasteful comments he made about the suicide of a Lancashire man. Tim Bonner, director of campaigns for the Alliance, wrote to the Leader of the Liberal Group on Ryedale District Council, Cllr John Clark, to say that Cllr Woodward is totally unfit for public office and should resign his place on the council. He also has written to the leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party Steve Radford and the chief executive of Ryedale District Council, Janet Waggot.

Cllr Woodward commented under a story about the tragic death of Allan Ellis of Bacup, Lancashire , posted on the Hunt Saboteurs Association page on Facebook, that his death was "the best use of a gun I can think of" and "if you chose to own a gun and shoot for pleasure then it's best you kill yourself".

Mr Bonner said: "Cllr Woodward's comments are totally unacceptable and make his position on the council untenable. We expect him to resign immediately and to make a full apology to Mr Ellis' family."