taken up the religion of climate alarmism instead." This was in response to a recent inter-faith event in Leicester concerning the challenge of climate change. In response, the Bishop of Leicester, Tim Stevens, said Helmer had not aired these views when he debated climate change in Leicester cathedral and asked whether "this was merely courtesy, or was it because the opportunity for a platform meant more to him than exposing his views to scrutiny or challenge from a live audience." In December 2010, still as a Conservative MEP, Helmer attended the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference and spent EU funds on a billboard campaign in his constituency criticising climate change policy. Journalist Leo Hickman, blogging for The Guardian newspaper, questioned who was funding his attendance at the conference after it was confirmed that he was not there in an official capacity representing the EU or the Conservative Party – who both confirmed that they did not share Helmer's beliefs on the subject of climate change. Within his local region, Helmer was criticised by academics from the University of Derby and the University of Northampton for being "out of step with the overwhelming scientific evidence on the subject of human induced climate change." Helmer welcomed the discovery by the British Geological Survey of rich deposits of shale gas under Melton and the Vale of Belvoir pointing to successful extraction in the US despite "horror stories circulated by green lobbyists." Hunting In 2009, Helmer said he would support the repeal of the hunting ban, and said that he used to enjoy hare coursing. Works Helmer has published three books. The first two were on European issues, Straight Talking on Europe in 2000, and A Declaration of Independence in 2002. A third book Sceptic at Large on a wider range of topics was published in 2011 by Bretwalda Books. See also Scientific consensus on climate change Climate change denial References External links Roger Helmer Profile at European Parliament website 1944 births Living people People educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton Alumni of Churchill College, Cambridge Conservative Party (UK) MEPs British libertarians Politics of Lincolnshire MEPs for England 1999–2004 MEPs for England 2004–2009 MEPs for England 2009–2014 MEPs for England 2014–2019 UK Independence Party MEPs Members of the Freedom Association Politicians from London People from Lutterworth British Eurosceptics