A photo of Reform UK candidate Violette Simpson, posing with an antelope she shot during a hunting trip in South Africa, has ignited a fiery debate in the lead-up to the Wiltshire Council elections.
Violette, who is running for the Calne Central Ward, has the photograph as her profile picture on her private Facebook account.
The image, widely circulated on social media yesterday, features Simpson holding a firearm next to the deceased animal.
The photo has drawn criticism from some Calne residents, who are questioning whether her actions align with the values expected of a council representative.
Others, however, have defended her right to pursue her personal interests.
Responding to the controversy, Violette dismissed the concerns as a distraction from pressing local issues.
"The people of Calne are facing real issues where our paycheck is struggling to cover basic expenses," she stated.
"Wiltshire Council is £380m in debt and paying £15.9m in interest each year, our Councils tax has gone up 24% in just 5 years. This is not a time to discuss my hobbies but who can help the Council get out of debt and bring tangible benefits with the money it receives, improving the returns to the people of Calne."
Simpson further alleges that the dissemination of the photo is part of a politically motivated attack designed to damage her reputation.
"There is an obvious campaign to discredit me from my political opponents at the expense of my security by sharing my personal profile picture widely and prominently on Facebook and X," she posted on Facebook.
Despite the backlash, Simpson maintained her commitment to transparency and speaking her mind.
"The people of Calne want a leader that stands for the safety and security of ALL their constituents - even those they may not agree with," she asserted.
"The people of Calne want an honest leader who is not hiding their pastimes."
Voters in Calne will head to the polls tomorrow, Thursday 1st May.
Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor@calnenews.com