A COUNCILLOR and anti-bloodsport campaigner has caused controversy after comments he made on the suicide of a former soldier and game hunter.

Thomas Woodward, a Ryedale District and Pickering Town Councillor, sparked fury when he commented on the Hunt Saboteurs Association’s Facebook page about the death of Allan Ellis, saying it was “the best use of a gun he could think of.”

Cllr Woodward has faced calls to quit and his words have been condemned by leader of Ryedale District Council, Cllr Linda Cowling.

Mr Ellis, 50, a former Scots Guard from Bacup, Lancashire, shot himself in August after learning he was to be sued over a £40,000 debt.

Richard Ali, of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), said: “Mocking the suicide of anyone is absolutely unacceptable.

“Going further and stating that lawful gun owners should “kill themselves” is despicable behaviour. “This man is not fit to hold a public office.”

Cllr Cowling said the council had received complaints about the comments.

She said: “There will be an investigation.

“The problem for the council is that it was done in a private capacity and not as a councillor.

“But it raises the question of whether someone with such strongly held views is suitable to be a councillor when they put their beliefs before decision-making.”

She added: “There’s very little other than the ballot box that can remove him from his role as councillor.

“But I do not condone anything he has done – it must be terrible for Mr Ellis’ family.”

Cllr Woodward’s comment on the closed Facebook group read: “Best use of a gun I can think of.”

He later added: “I don’t think anyone thinks it’s a good thing. We would all rather where no one kills for fun.

“However if you own a gun and chose to kill for pleasure, it is best you kill yourself.”

Cllr Woodward said he made the comments in a private group and they would never have gone into the public domain without the BASC informing the media.

He said: “I disagree with killing full stop. The comments may have come across wrong but I think it is better someone uses a gun on themselves rather than killing something innocent.

“Some people may have found what I said offensive but I wrote it on the Hunt Saboteur Association Facebook page.

“The BASC went to find something that would never have been heard about – they are responsible for bringing the story to his family’s attention.”