Hi °C | Lo °C Singer Paolo Nutini has said he abhors all blood sports after being attacked by fans for attending a hunt ball in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
The Candy singer insisted he "in no way supports fox hunting or any other type of animal blood sports" after causing uproar among his fans when he was photographed at the event, which was held at the Bloomfield House Hotel in Co Westmeath on February 2.
Nutini said he "doesn't endorse the hunting of any animal" and that he had simply attended a party without realising that the event had been organised by the Westmeath Hunt.
The Scottish singer was in Ireland to record songs for his new album at Grouse Lodge studios in Moate, Co Westmeath – but fans were furious after pictures of him at the black-tie affair appeared on the social networking site Twitter.
The 26-year-old's Facebook page was flooded with comments slamming his attendance and he was accused of giving his support to animal cruelty.
Once they threatened to boycott the star's music and stop buying his records over the furore, Nutini was forced to come out and set the record straight. Yesterday, following a week of negative publicity, his management company released a statement explaining that the star did not know the nature of the event and insisted he did not endorse blood sports.
A spokesman for the multi-platinum recording artist said: "We have picked up on everyone's comments on Paolo's facebook. Paolo needs you to understand that he in no way supports fox hunting or any other type of animal blood sports.
"Paolo is recording in Ireland at the moment and was invited to a party. He was not fully aware of the nature of this party."
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports said they welcomed the statement from the singer's management.
The organisation had contacted the star after he was photographed at the ball.
Following Nutini's comments they said: "The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is very happy that Paolo has clarified his stance on the issue and is standing with the majority of Irish people who are opposed to fox hunting. Fox hunting with hounds is outlawed in Scotland, Wales and England.
"We have thanked Paolo for expressing his anti-hunting position."
Irish Independent
