Brian Walmsley

Affiliation: West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs

Location: Warwickshire

New evidence seen by BTM shows that Brian Walmsley, a self-described project manager in the industrial and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors, was among the West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs who took part in the recent pop-up protest outside The Bower House in Shipston on Stour. The protest was staged while the restaurant hosted a charity supper with Dame Prue Leith, with all proceeds going to Chefs in Schools.

Walmsley stood alongside the group’s leader, Cathy Scott, and David Graham, who was convicted of perverting the course of justice in 2020 after giving police doctored video footage. That is the company Brian decided to keep on an evening meant to raise money for children’s cookery lessons.

Who is Brian Walmsley?

Brian Walmsley is no newcomer to public life. In May 2024, he stood as a Labour candidate in Eastboro Ward in the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council elections. He was unsuccessful, despite a campaign that placed considerable emphasis on his credentials as a local champion.

“I’ve fought to save our town’s heritage and spoken out at Council meetings,” he argued.

Walmsley’s commitment to heritage seems selective. He is now helping picket a rural business – The Bower House – for allowing a lawful countryside tradition on its land, despite trail hunting being part of the heritage many across Warwickshire value. Some traditions, it seems, deserve defending, while others deserve protesting against.

The protest also targets an event raising money for Chefs in Schools, a charity supporting children’s food education: a worthy cause that should transcend political differences.

Walmsley is entitled to his views, but his actions suggest that his commitment to heritage and community comes with political conditions.

A familiar voice online

Walmsley is closely associated with the West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs (WMHS), regularly engaging with the group’s social media activity. He also frequently posts anti-hunting content on the Living in Nuneaton Facebook page.

Recently, WMHS published a post targeting Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Phillip Seccombe, declaring that he belonged in jail and apparently citing, among other things, his membership of the Countryside Alliance. Walmsley joined in, commenting: “Don't drop your soap bar, or if you do, don't pick it up Phil.”

For someone who once sought voters’ trust at the ballot box, joining in this kind of personal attack on an elected official responsible for police accountability hardly inspires confidence.

The double standard

Walmsley is pursuing a familiar anti-hunting campaign. Yet trail hunting remains lawful, and landowners across the country continue to permit it. Rather than challenge the law, Walmsley and his associates have chosen to target the businesses that host it.

The Bower House employs local people, supports local suppliers and was raising money for charity on the night of the protest. Picketing the business does nothing to change the law or resolve the debate. Instead, it puts pressure on a rural business and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.