I am no fan of the unelected and unaccountable monarchy and the extended royal family .... see here, here and here. Actually, I am an extremely robust critic. Always have been, always will be.
However, if I needed yet another argument for a democratic republic and an elected president, I have been provided with another forceful argument.
Investigative journalists from The Guardian have uncovered yet more evidence of alleged raptor persecution crimes, none previously reported, at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk …. The Guardian - Officials warned of ‘serious wildlife incidents’ at Queen’s Sandringham estate
Furthermore, they have also revealed documents which show that the Police have to seek the Queen’s permission before they are allowed to enter Sandringham Estate and search for evidence if any wildlife crimes are suspected or have been reported …. The Guardian - ‘Ludicrous’: limits on Police wildlife inquiries on Queen’s estates decried
In fact, the Queen has immunity from more than 160 wide-ranging laws that the rest of the country is required to comply with …. The Guadian - Revealed: Queen’s sweeping immunity from more than 160 laws.
This is totally unacceptable in a so-called democracy where all citizens are supposedly equal under the law.
Sandringham Estate has been at the centre of a number of Police investigations into alleged raptor persecution. The most notorious incident was in 2007 where witnesses observed two Hen Harriers being shot over Dersingham Bog at the same time that Prince Harry, his mate William van Cutsem (whose Hilborough Estate is currently under police investigation for alleged raptor persecution …. see here) and an estate gamekeeper were out supposedly shooting ducks …. The Guardian - Two Hen Harriers dead, one prince questioned, no charges
Sandringham Estate has been investigated for wildlife and pesticides offences against legally protected birds of prey at least 6 times between 2005 and 2016.
As well as the 2 Hen Harriers shot in 2007, the Police and Natural England have investigated the deaths of a Goshawk, a Sparrowhawk, a Red Kite, a Tawny Owl and a Marsh Harrier at the Sandringham Estate and land it owns nearby, with only a single prosecution in respect of the Tawny Owl.
In 2009, the Sandringham Estate was given an official warning about the mishandling and unlawful storage of highly toxic chemicals after the Sparrowhawk was poisoned.
In 2016, the Sandringham Estate admitted it had destroyed the body of a Goshawk found dead near Sandringham House before it could be examined by the Police, meaning that no cause of death could be established.
It has to be questioned why has it taken 16 years for these raptor persecution incidents to become public knowledge?
In addition, surely it would have been wholly appropriate and relevant for them to have been in the public domain at the time that Prince Harry, van Cutsem and an estate gamekeeper were all subject to a Police investigation into the alleged shooting of two Hen Harriers in 2007?
It is no surprise whatsoever at all that “nothing was found” during the Police investigation into those alleged shootings given that the Police were not allowed on to the estate until the following morning. It is also no surprise that none of the investigating authorities want to comment on any of these latest revelations. A complete cover up!
Slava Ukraini! …. Glory to Ukraine!
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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