Sir Ian Botham was forced to rethink his plans on a recent grouse hunt after encountering resistance from a group of protesters.
The England cricket legend and fellow hunters were pictured arguing with activists on Snailsden Moor in the Peak District. The hunting party had hoped to go about their business interrupted but found their plans disrupted when protesters blocked their route to the hunting location.
This led to an hour-long deadlock between the two groups, with police eventually called in to disperse the situation. It's understood one man in his 50s was arrested at the scene for being in possession of a blade.
“One of our team is a big cricket fan and he recognised Beefy immediately," said one member of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, as quoted by The Sun. Ashes icon Botham, 66, has long been a hunting advocate and announced plans in 2017 to make meals for those who need them using birds killed on his estate.
“We were amazed to see someone famous," continued the Hunt Saboteurs Association member. "It was a privilege for us crusty sabs to meet someone in the public eye — but he was very annoyed and didn’t seem pleased to see us."
Said stand-off took place on August 16, and the Hunt Saboteurs Association was clearly content with its work. The group later posted on Twitter : "As a result of this hugely successful action, the shooting party (including Ian Botham) were forced to head home without killing any grouse."
Chris Packham—who has previously clashed with Botham over his hunting stance—tweeted to celebrate the saboteurs' victory. “Oh dear, what a shame. Next. . . more top work by @HuntSabs,” wrote the sarcastic Springwatch host.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed after the incident that protesters had been dispersed following the incident. Adrian Blackmore, the Countryside Alliance's 'Director of Shooting', said the saboteurs "have a complete disregard for the lives and rights of others."
Blackmore also criticised Packham's "appalling" response and suggested they would chase up the matter with the BBC, one of his major employers. A statement on the matter read: "Surely the BBC can’t ignore one of its presenters publicly supporting and encouraging criminal action by others, and this is something that we will be taking up in the strongest possible terms with the Corporation."
