Tory MP mocked for complaining he can’t go shooting after forgetting to renew his gun licence
Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, accused coppers of "utter incompetence" after he found out that it would take the force 16 weeks to renew it
A TORY MP has been mocked after complaining that he can’t go shooting this winter because he forgot to renew his gun licence.
MP Ian Liddell-Granger accused local police of “utter incompetence” after he found out that it would take the force 16 weeks to process his shotgun licence, despite the fact that he had forgotten that it had expired.
“Forgetting to check and renew a licence in time is a simple mistake that anyone can make – and I make mistakes like everyone else,” he told the Somerset County Gazette.
The MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset was sent a reminder by the force that the certificate for his rifles and shotguns had run out.
“I’ve told the police I am handing the guns in for safe keeping and they are happy with that. But I cannot believe how long it’s going take to deal with a simple renewal of an existing certificate,” he said.
“I’ve got the form and I’ve filled it in but you cannot simply hand these things in at your local police station any more: they have to be posted off. When I rang the police to see how long it would take to get the new permit I was absolutely appalled”.
The licence, which allows holders to possess shotguns lasts for five years and requires a string of background checks including medical checks and recommendations by referees.
However, Liddell-Grainger was quick to be critical of the process.
“Sixteen weeks to complete one piece of paperwork looks like utter incompetence. I told the officer I thought it was an unrealistically long time and he just said the police had lots of other things to do. I could almost hear the shrug down the phone."
“When I mentioned the fact that I was a MP it was suggested that if the Government gave the force some more money they might be able to get these things done more quickly.”
But the MP was mocked mercilessly on Twitter for his comments, accusing him of hypocrisy for voting in favour of cuts to police forces.
"Ian Liddell-Grainger's "do you know who I am", jibe... shows the contempt and arrogance of the man," one person said.
Another said: "Maybe police have better things to do than sorting our weapons so you can blow some innocent animal away."
Mr Liddell-Grainger said he plans to raise the matter with Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
“It’s not so serious for me because I only shoot for a hobby. But for gamekeepers or farmers with vermin problems who could easily find themselves in a similar situation 16 weeks is a totally unacceptable delay,” he said.
Avon and Somerset Police said they would not be comment on Mr Liddell-Grainger's views while his West Somerset Conservative Association said that “Mr Liddell-Grainger has held a shotgun licence for a number of years. This is a private matter”.
In 2015 he received a vote of no confidence by the Tory group on the West Somerset Council after making “inaccurate and ill-informed” comments about the Council.