Former League Against Cruel Sports CEO sues charity for £3m

The former chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports is taking legal action against the charity and its former chair, Dan Norris MP, seeking damages of up to £3 million.

Andy Knott, 55, stepped down from his role in March 2024. According to The Times (21 February 2025), Mr Knott claims he was driven out of the organisation by internal abuse after seeking to remove individuals he considered animal rights “extremists”.

However, earlier reports suggest a different focus. The Telegraph (22 June 2024) reported that Mr Knott was preparing legal action on the basis that he was victimised after raising concerns about the charity’s relationship with the Labour Party.

According to that report, Mr Knott intended to claim that Dan Norris—then chair of the League—asked him not to criticise Labour’s revised stance on hunting, and that he was later sidelined after raising objections. It was also alleged that the charity attempted to prevent him from speaking out after his resignation by withholding pay.

Mr Knott is reportedly pursuing claims including constructive dismissal, and has launched proceedings in both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court.

The League Against Cruel Sports and Dan Norris MP have not commented publicly on the legal case.