A DEATH threat has been sent to Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger following his criticism of anti-badger cull protestors.

Conservative MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has accused anti-badger cull protestors of ‘gutter tactics’ after he received a threatening text message.

But, he says, its content reveals the real nature of the campaigners who are trying to disrupt an operation designed to help clean up Britain’s worst-ever TB epidemic.

“Kerry McCarthy, the Shadow Defra Secretary, always talks as though she’s addressing the nation from the moral high ground when she speaks of her opposition to culling,” he said.

“But these threats show the true colours of those she is aligning herself with – people who are prepared to sink to the gutter, and even lower, in pursuit of their perverse little campaign.”

The message – full text reproduced below – was received as the second official badger cull continued in Mr Liddell-Grainger’s Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency.

He has made no secret of his support for reducing the huge local population of badgers which is blamed for causing persistent TB outbreaks on livestock farms.

And this is not the first time pro-badger groups have targeted him: two years ago he had a dead badger dumped on his doorstep.

But, said Mr Liddell-Grainger: “At least there was a plus side to that: I put it on my compost heap and as a consequence we had a wonderful year for roses.

“Unfortunately you cannot do the same with a text message, even though its contents suggest it might be just the thing for the garden.

“Sadly this is just the kind of intimidation dozens of my constituents have had to put up with, most of them hard-working farmers whose only mission is to keep the nation fed despite the ravages of a disease – and a disease, let’s not forget, which was allowed to rampage out of control because Labour refused to do anything to curb it.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger – who has passed details of the text to Avon and Somerset Police - said no threats were going to weaken his support for the culling operation.

“We have to press on because it offers the only hope of restoring the UK to TB-free status,” he said.

“I am certainly not going to be intimidated by the rabble - the all-purpose agitators who turn up to demonstrate about everything whether it’s badger-culling or a new nuclear power station.

“As this message clearly demonstrates they are riddled with class envy – and not the sort of people with whom one can ever have a well-informed and rational debate about badgers and TB.

“The writer needs to get a life and get a job – and from the look of it get a bit of education, too.”

The full text reads: “Hello just like to say i would warn you what you say in future. You bunch of animal killers you saying the under class need to get a job i think you should watch what you say sunshine because i knew where you and your family live. We will come find you and your family then you realise what a cull is. Don't cross paths with me i will throw brick in you ugly little face of yours. You such dirty venom toff. Watch your back and keep your silly mouth shut or close it for you understand. Little weasel man and all you other toff posh idiots you laughing stock. Just be warned if you want to be safe.”