A quick email exchange has cast serious doubt over claims made in the Observer newspaper that the Ritz has taken grouse off their menu 'in a victory for environmental campaigners'.
The Countryside Alliance has today received confirmation from the Ritz directly, which states: "Yorkshire Grouse is on the menu in the Ritz Restaurant and has been since 12 August".
This is despite a story printed in the Sunday Observer- 21/12/22- and published online, claiming "those hoping to eat the tiny game bird in the gilded Ritz dining room in London will be out of luck this year, as the world-famous hotel has quietly removed it from the menu after an outcry from environmental campaigners".
The article includes a prominent quote from convicted animal rights extremist Luke Steele and was widely shared on social media. It was subsequently lifted by news blog, The London Economic.
At the time of writing, Mr. Steele did not share the article following its release.
He did however delete a tweet from earlier last week in which he claimed: "[The Ritz London] has removed its promotions of grouse shooting…". That tweet was then shared by Chris Packham.
Among those who did rush to share their excitement over the story, were League Against Cruel Sports CEO, Andy Knott, who boldly claimed "Great [email protected]". Green Party Peer, Natalie Bennett also shared the story to her twitter following.
The Ritz allegedly declined to comment in the Observer story but confirmed that grouse 'is not currently on the menu' when the reporter filed their story, which appeared online late Saturday afternoon. This is not however an admission that grouse has been 'quietly removed from its menu', or that it is a 'victory for environmental campaigners'. Those familiar with the supply of grouse and game believe it could well be that on the day of the Observer's enquiry, grouse may not have been delivered.
The original article clearly caused a number of raised eyebrows on social media too. A number of prominent rural Facebook groups shared email exchanges between users and the Ritz, all confirming grouse to still be on the menu. One even shared a recording of a phone call exchange.
The Countryside Alliance has written an official complaint to the Guardian / Observer and will be following developments closely. The story has also been picked up by Guido Fawkes, which can be read here.
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