Name: Tommy Woodward
Location: Pickering, Yorkshire
Affiliations: Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs, Animal Liberation Front
Woodward, a builder who runs a B&B with his wife Debbie, and previously a Liberal Democrat Councillor of Pickering, Yorkshire, has been seen trespassing and abusing members of the hunt on several occasions. Notably in March 2018 at Scrayingham, whilst carrying a red spray bottle and wearing a body camera.
In 2014 there was major controversy over his comments about the suicide of an ex-soldier. Mr. Ellis, 50, a former Scots Guardsman from Lancashire, shot himself in August 2014 after learning he was to be sued over a £40,000 debt. Woodward posted on the Hunt Saboteurs Association’s Facebook page after reading reports about his death: ‘Best use of a gun I can think of’.
He went on to write:
‘We would all rather live in a world where no one kills for fun. However, if you choose to own a gun and kill for pleasure, then it’s best you kill yourself.’
Woodward maintained he would not resign, amid calls from the public condemning his remarks and asking him to step down from Pickering leadership.
The Chief Executive of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Richard Ali, said:
“Mocking the suicide of anyone is absolutely unacceptable and stating that lawful gun owners should ‘kill themselves’ is despicable behaviour. This man is not fit to hold a public office...We know from past actions that animal rights extremists will stop at nothing in their hatred of anyone involved in lawful shooting activities. These Facebook comments show their true colours.”
A well summarised analysis of extreme hunt saboteurs. Woodward’s comments demonstrate an extremism that has a lack of rationality behind it, and showcase extreme emotions and opinions. Other comments on Hunt Saboteur’s Associations post include “one scumbag less’, ‘he deserved it’, ‘he did the right thing’ and ‘a true coward till the end’ - Woodward was not alone in his viciousness.
According to council papers, he was still on the council in 2017, and a replacement was being sought in April 2018.
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