MP labels grey squirrels ‘Hamas of the squirrel world’

Jim Shannon likened the common rodent to Hamas who killed 1,200 civilians on October 7

A DUP MP has blasted grey squirrels as the “Hamas of the squirrel world” in a parliamentary debate.

Jim Shannon compared the common rodent to the terrorist group that killed 1,200 civilians taking 200 hostages on October 7 during a debate on the control of the grey squirrel population.

Mr Shannon said: “The Ards Red Squirrel Group is full of fantastic volunteers who work tirelessly to protect the future of the red squirrel in my constituency of Strangford, particularly at Mount Stewart.

“The organisation is led by the National Trust Mount Stewart ranger team, and they are in constant contact with local landowners to monitor red squirrels and eradicate any greys that venture in.

Jim Shannon speaks in Parliament (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

“Indeed, the issue is the very presence of grey squirrels – grey squirrels are the Hamas of the squirrel world.”

He went on to suggest there should be “greater integration” between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and local red squirrel groups in the devolved institutions to ensure they have the “means necessary to preserve and expand the red squirrel species throughout Northern Ireland”.

Grey squirrels from North America were introduced in the UK in the 1800s and are a major threat to native red squirrel populations.

They outcompete the red squirrels for food and space, as they are prolific breeders. Grey squirrels also carry a virus called squirrelpox, which they are actually immune to, but can spread the disease to red squirrels, therefore decimating the local populations.

It came as Hamas is scrambling to find more hostages to extend its truce with Israel amid growing concerns the militant group does not know the whereabouts of dozens of captives.

Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said 30 Palestinians had also been released from Israeli prisoners on Tuesday evening in response, half of which were women and the other half were children.

The Israel Defence Forces believe Hamas has access to 80 more hostages while Palestinian Islamic Jihad has between 30-40, a source close to negotiations told The Independent.