Rock star Brian May in tirade against Leicestershire council leader
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.
http://brianmay.com/brian/letters/ lettersapr10.html
28 Comments
View all
by NORMAN BRYANT, west sussex
Thursday, April 22 2010, 6:09PM
“I think that Brian May lost the argument by taking it to the low levels he has, all this name calling is more to the childrens play ground not by a highly educated person, shame that it has dropped to this, everyone is entitled to their own opinion on what ever subject and Hunting brings that out more so than most other subjects, it's just a pity that all that energy is not put to better use.”
by Jari, Sweden
Thursday, April 22 2010, 1:24PM
“As I understand it foxhunting has been a traditional pasttime in GB for centuries and for those who are brought up doing it it seems natural. For those that don't understand it or agree with it doesn't.
The so called modern man doesn't see himself as the crown of the creation anymore, just a creature along the rest of them. The rest of them don't care. They have their own reality from which the modern man has come a long way away from. I don't agree with people dictating to others to do this or that just "because" and I have a general dislike towards many forms of activism against people projecting their own moral views on others. In the end the world would be a very dull place if everyones morals where to be imposed on all. Lets not forget who we are, especially if stripped of electricity and gas for a moment. Lets not believe food grows from the freezers in a giant store or is provided to us by the government.
I have been a big fan of Queen since 1975 and I consider Brian May one of the greatest guitarplayers of all time, but this...
I don't get it. Is this "catching up with the part of life he missed about teenage revolting", growing a social concience and acting on it? I mean, Brian did missed the punkwave while touring. =) I think they actually did make millions then too.
When life slows down after decades of hard work and huge ups and downs and the thoughts awake.
Shall man know how to hunt and fish and on which animals?
Or is those "skills" obsolete now with all the entrys of Tescos and Lidls?”
by Sandie, Westcotes (but originally from the countryside!)
Thursday, April 22 2010, 11:12AM
“It's highly doubtful that Pathetic Parsnip will openly comment on Dr May's response. It's a well known fact that he only picks on creatures much smaller than himself and never without a pack of dogs to back him up.
Without these, I'm inclined to agree with Brian - the man IS a dweeb! Of the most insignificant order!!
2010 and a politician is bragging about using live animals as bait in the english countryside????”
by Dee, Thurmaston
Thursday, April 22 2010, 10:49AM
“Way to win votes for your seat & parlimentary party, Mr Parsons....
NOT !!!!
You can`t just go around insulting people no matter who you are, especially the much respected, well educated and extremely talented Dr. Brian May. !!
If you were vying for a vote around my area, I for one would not be voting for a person like you.”
by Mark, Leicestershire
Thursday, April 22 2010, 1:07AM
“David, Great Easton....something else about Dr. May and his guitar. His guitar was hand built by himself. His guitar is technically brilliant in it's construction in his designs were completely original in the day (1964). Hand built from materials around his home. Hand crafted with extreme precision. If you understand guitars properly they have to be precise in order to play well.
Again, something else that shows Dr. May's intelligence even as a teenager.”
by Beth, U.S.A.
Wednesday, April 21 2010, 11:24PM
“David, I see a lack of education on YOUR part. And eyesight, as well. You apparently didn't see what Jay just posted, telling the story of Dr May's EXTENSIVE education and career. Yet all you see is his guitar. Very sad. I'm starting to think it's you, Mr Parsons, too.
All this nonsense you speak comes from the fact you simply can't come up with anything to combat what Dr May said to you. You were put in your place, and you just didn't expect it. Do YOUR reading next time. Know your enemy BEFORE you attack. You're still in the dark! Let me guess...I'm next! Oh please! DO! And put me in that circle with Dr May! I'd be honored!”
by Beth, U.S.A
Wednesday, April 21 2010, 11:23PM
“David, I see a lack of education on YOUR part. And eyesight, as well. You apparently didn't see what Jay just posted, telling the story of Dr May's EXTENSIVE education and career. Yet all you see is his guitar. Very sad. I'm starting to think it's you, Mr Parsons, too.
All this nonsense you speak comes from the fact you simply can't come up with anything to combat what Dr May said to you. You were put in your place, and you just didn't expect it. Do YOUR reading next time. Know your enemy BEFORE you attack. You're still in the dark! Let me guess...I'm next! Oh please! DO! And put me in that circle with Dr May! I'd be honored!”
by Julie, Leicester
Wednesday, April 21 2010, 7:07PM
“I grew up in a very rural area -I am from the Lake District- and I deeply resent the idea always trotted out by hunt supporters that killing animals is something enjoyed by country folk and is something 'townies' wouldn't understand. I have always believed that it says something very sinister about someone -politician or otherwise- if they gain pleasure from hurting animals, and that is the same whether you come from a country cottage or a city estate.”
by Red, Leicester
Wednesday, April 21 2010, 6:47PM
“Two tories slagging each other off- wonderful - can't wait until they're in government!”
by Glenn Kennedy, Sarnia
Wednesday, April 21 2010, 6:16PM
“How typical of the likes of Parsons to arrogantly assume he can insult whomever he likes and simply squirm away when confronted.
Kudos to Dr. May for telling it like it is.
I see some posters on here simply aren't used to honesty in politics.”