A council leader has defended himself after receiving criticism online for his movements during lockdown.

Cllr Alan Jarrett, who leads Medway Council, took to Instagram to share pictures of his Easter weekend activities walking his dogs and then a post which appeared to show he had been out shooting game.

Cllr Jarrett, shared a photo of his dogs at a location "on the estuary" which led to questions about whether he had made an unnecessary journey from his home in Lordswood.

Another photo, uploaded yesterday, showed cuts of "fresh wood pigeon ready for the oven".

It caused a stir with suggestions Cllr Jarrett (Con) had been out hunting with his dogs, which is one of his hobbies.

Cllr Jarrett explained to KentOnline he is the landowner and was making the trip on behalf of the land's tenant farmers to check on the livestock.

He also clarified the pigeon meat had been taken out of his freezer.

Cllr Jarrett said: "It was just normal business; I didn't see anybody and I didn't want to see anybody."

Medway Conservatives responded to posts criticising their leader on Twitter saying: "For clarification: All Cllr. Jarrett’s movements in line with activities approved by DEFRA & the police.

"First image from an essential trip as landowner and on behalf of tenant farmers to check on livestock, where it is normal to take the dogs for their benefit too.

"Second image of wood pigeons ‘fresh’ out the freezer!"

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