A group of former members of the League Against Cruel Sports have called for the immediate resignation of its newly reappointed chair, due to his existing political roles and his involvement in ongoing legal disputes.

The animal charity’s former chair, Dan Norris, has been reappointed to the position just weeks after he stepped down on 29 May to successfully run for election as Labour’s candidate for North East Somerset and Hanham in the general election.

Norris, who is also the Metro Mayor for West England, was voted in as an MP and was reappointed as chair of LACS on 22 July – subject to a membership vote at its next AGM on 14 September. 

Norris was originally co-opted onto the board more than two years ago, but if his reappointment is ratified by the membership, he will begin a new three-year term as chair.

A group of former LACS members operating under the name Save the League, but who wish to remain anonymous, have called for Norris’ immediate resignation because of his existing commitments and his involvement in ongoing legal disputes with the League’s former chief. 

In July, Third Sector learned that the charity’s former chief executive, Andy Knott, had filed an employment tribunal claim against the charity and Norris and is planning to file a private claim against both parties.

Knott alleges that Norris asked him to keep quiet if Labour dropped its commitment to close loopholes in existing fox-hunting laws. He said that when he raised concerns about political interference to the board and senior management, they refused to investigate.

Third Sector later learned that Surrey Police were investigating allegations of fraud at the charity, after Knott alleged that the charity’s fundraising had been misleading. It is understood that police have not yet contacted anyone at the charity.

Former LACS members are urging Norris to resign and for the charity’s board to reconsider his appointment, but it is understood that they have not contacted the charity directly about this issue.

A spokesperson for the Save the League campaign said Norris’ reappointment was a “betrayal of our supporters’ trust”, adding: “Donors gave their hard-earned money to support the League’s mission of protecting animals, not to bankroll legal defences arising from questionable leadership decisions. 

“Dan Norris’ return as chair, while still embroiled in controversy and legal battles, shows a complete disregard for the principles the League was founded on.”

The group said Norris’ tenure was “marred by allegations of political interference”, adding that these “unresolved issues and his divided attention between his roles as MP, Metro Mayor and now chair of the League has raised serious concerns about his ability to lead any of these responsibilities effectively”.

The spokesperson said: “We call on him to step down immediately and allow the League to focus on its true purpose – protecting wildlife, not protecting one man’s political career.”

A spokesperson for the LACS said: “As with all charities, the co-option of any trustee onto our board must be ratified by a vote by our members at our annual meeting. Members are able to vote in person, by post, or by proxy.

“Any concerns about our governance outside of this process must be raised formally with the charity in the first instance, as per government guidelines.”