Complex sentence: Speculation was intense in some sections of the media for the real reason being Barnes's outspoken views expressed in his wildlife opinion column that blamed illegal activity by red grouse shooting interests on the continued persecution and near extinction of the hen harrier in England.
Split into simpler sentences: Speculation was intense in some sections of the media that the real reason may have been Barnes's outspoken views expressed in his wildlife opinion column. The column blamed illegal activity by red grouse shooting interests on the continued persecution and near extinction of the hen harrier in England.