Prominent remain QC slammed for clubbing a fox to death

Jolyon Maugham QC, who is known for fighting a series of legal cases concerning Brexit, has caused a massive backlash on social media after revealing that he bludgeoned a fox to death with a baseball bat in his London garden. Maugham is an extremely well known figure for crowdfunding a huge number of cases with many turning out to be spurious.

Maugham wrote on Twitter that the animal had become trapped in protective netting around his chicken coop. He then indicated he went out wearing a ‘kimono’ and slaughtered the animal.

“Already this morning I have killed a fox with a baseball bat. How’s your Boxing Day going?”

As followers started asking why he could not have released it or called a rescue charity, he said he “wasn’t sure what else to do”.

Asked whether the fox suffered, Mr Maugham said he “despatched him efficiently” and argued that killing animals “does come with the territory if you’re a meat eater”.

“I didn’t especially enjoy killing it but I imagine that’s what the RSPCA would have done, if they had anyone on call in central London on Boxing Day.”

The RSPCA, which brings prosecutions for alleged animal cruelty, said its workers were in fact on call 24 hours a day and got involved in the storm to which the charity’s official account replied: “This is distressing to hear. We’d urge anyone with firsthand knowledge to report it to us by calling 0300 1234 999.”

“Many or most councils in London treat foxes as an urban pest and at least one recommends clubbing them.”

“No one should relish killing animals – and I certainly didn’t. But if you haven’t been up close to a large trapped fox, perhaps reserve judgement.”