LEICESTER MERCURY
Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 09:36
Rock star Brian May has launched an attack on Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons over his support for fox hunting.
The world-famous Queen guitarist called Mr Parsons a “pathetic, arrogant, jumped-up, snivelling little dweeb”, and a “disgrace” to his office in a strongly-worded piece published on his website.Mr May was responding after Mr Parsons wrote to the Mercury last week, attacking the superstar’s support of an anti-hunting campaign.
In his original letter, Mr Parsons wrote: “I fear people in rural communities are not going to take lectures from a cosseted London rock star on how the countryside should be run.
“The Quorn Hunt and others like it are part of the fabric of our countryside tradition. This is a subject that needs to be debated by those who know about it, rather than a rock celebrity who has not chafed his hands on anything other than a guitar neck.”
After reading the letter on our website, Mr May used his official site to hit back at the Conservative council leader.
In an open letter, he wrote: “I just read your attack on myself and my campaign against the repeal of the Hunting Act, in the Leicester Mercury. News travels fast, these days.
“How dare you presume to judge me, and insult me? You don’t know anything about me, little man. A ‘cosseted London rock star’, am I? You have absolutely no idea about what it cost me to get where I am, or how chafed my hands are. I assume yours are chafed by the pen you push.
“I live in the country too, you ignorant man. I know exactly what I am talking about. And since I began this campaign, I have been deluged with letters from country people, including farmers, who regard the hunt as a menace to their livestock, their pets, their property and even their children.
“You are a disgrace to your office, and I hope the majority of the good people of Leicestershire will soon remove you from it. I’m glad to see some of them have already told you what an embarrassment you are.
“You are defending people’s livestock from the bad foxes, are you? What a brave man.
“Well, you’d better be as brave as your words, because if you ever come within sniffing distance of me I’ll have your guts for garters, you pathetic, arrogant, jumped-up, snivelling little dweeb.”
Speaking to the Mercury yesterday, Mr May said: “To be truthful, I’ve been around a long time and I can usually ignore abuse such as this. I’m normally Mr Nice Guy but David Parsons crossed the line into a personal attack.
“I live in the countryside, I grew up with very little money, I don’t need someone to lecture me about the realities of life.”
He denied that his criticisms were politically-motivated, adding: “I’ve voted Conservative many times, and I’m a floating voter at this election.”
Mr Parsons and the county council declined to comment.
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