Father-of-five to use Freedom of Information Act.

A FORMER farm worker is to use the Freedom of Information Act to find out why Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is refusing to grant him a shot gun certificate.

Father-of-five Robert Parker, 35, of Dunkeswell, had a previous certificate revoked in September 2008.

The force has told his solicitor, Stephen Nunn, of Nunn Rickard Solicitors, in Exeter, that problems with neighbours and a firearms offence led to the decision.

However, Mr Parker told the Midweek Herald: “I was never charged with an offence, though I accept I had a loaded air rifle on the seat of my vehicle.

“I am fed up. It has ruined my life. I was previously employed to do game-keeping for farmers and it put food on my table.”

Now Mr Parker wants to see what information about him lies on file with police. He is to pay the �10 application fee for a request to see the file under the Freedom of Information Act.

Mr Nunn says the decision to refuse a certificate could be overturned – but only if information on file can be proven to be untrue or if concerns have been misrepresented.

“I haven’t done anything,” Mr Parker said.

“I know there is public concern about guns following the tragedy in Whitehaven, but I am a responsible gun user.

“I grew up in a farming community and I am a country person.”

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary said: “We do not enter lightly into any such decision to refuse an application for a shot gun certificate.”