West Dorset MP appears on Countryfile over Sea Eagle Tweets

Twitter users erupted in outrage over Chris Loder's controversial views about Sea Eagles earlier this year

Author: George SharpePublished 15th Jun 2022

West Dorset's MP has been making headlines once more for his controversial views about the reintroduction of Sea Eagles on the Isle of Wight.

Chris Loder restating his views, appearing on Countryfile at the weekend in a segment about the deaths of two out of three of the birds.

They were released on the Isle of Wight last year, but one was found dead in Dorset in February sparking a investigation by Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team.

Chris Loder stated the birds should never have been reintroduced and that Dorset Police's resources would be better spent elsewhere.

You can read more about the backlash here.

Mr Loder appeared on Countryfile to reiterate his views. He said:

"The only view and pressure that's been brought from me is the one that I have publicly put on twitter. We've only had three rural police officers across the whole of the county of Dorset. It's meant that there's only been a small amount of resource that we can have focused on animal crime."

"The point being here, when you only have three officers there is only so much that you can do, and I have to say I don't think there's anything untoward about an elected MP sharing their view on behalf of their constituents."

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:

"I would like to reassure the public in rural areas, that rural crime, heritage crime and wildlife crime is being taken seriously by police in Dorset."

Greatest Hits Radio Dorset has asked Mr Loder for a comment but at time of writing no response has been sent.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.