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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Benn fights to keep hunt ban | Benn fights to keep hunt ban |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is launching a campaign to boost support for the fox hunting ban. | Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is launching a campaign to boost support for the fox hunting ban. |
| Mr Benn is urging people to sign up on a website backing the ban. | Mr Benn is urging people to sign up on a website backing the ban. |
| He claims the Tories plan to make repeal of the Hunting Act "a priority". Party leader David Cameron has promised MPs a free vote on the issue. | He claims the Tories plan to make repeal of the Hunting Act "a priority". Party leader David Cameron has promised MPs a free vote on the issue. |
| The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance has said Saturday's meets could be the last traditional Boxing Day hunts before the ban is repealed. | |
| Jill Grieve, a spokeswoman for the campaign group, said more than than 200 hunts are being held across the UK on Boxing Day. | |
| She said these events range in size and involve between 200 and 8,000 people. | |
| Hunting foxes with dogs was outlawed in 2005, although hounds are still allowed to follow a scent or flush out a fox, but not kill it. | Hunting foxes with dogs was outlawed in 2005, although hounds are still allowed to follow a scent or flush out a fox, but not kill it. |
| 'Barbaric act' | 'Barbaric act' |
| Mr Benn's campaign is being launched to coincide with the Boxing Day hunts and is backed by the actors Patrick Stewart, Jenny Seagrove and Tony Robinson. | Mr Benn's campaign is being launched to coincide with the Boxing Day hunts and is backed by the actors Patrick Stewart, Jenny Seagrove and Tony Robinson. |
| The environment secretary said: "For David Cameron, getting the act repealed is a priority. | The environment secretary said: "For David Cameron, getting the act repealed is a priority. |
| "He used to hunt foxes; he talked about fox hunting in his first ever speech to Parliament; and he has said that if he becomes prime minister he will get rid of the fox hunting ban. | "He used to hunt foxes; he talked about fox hunting in his first ever speech to Parliament; and he has said that if he becomes prime minister he will get rid of the fox hunting ban. |
| The arguments in favour of repeal simply don't stack up Douglas BatchelorLeague Against Cruel Sports | The arguments in favour of repeal simply don't stack up Douglas BatchelorLeague Against Cruel Sports |
| "But, like the vast majority of people, I think that the barbaric act of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces shouldn't return to our countryside." | "But, like the vast majority of people, I think that the barbaric act of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces shouldn't return to our countryside." |
| In October, shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert described the hunting ban as "an affront to civil liberties" and "completely unworkable". | In October, shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert described the hunting ban as "an affront to civil liberties" and "completely unworkable". |
| He said a Conservative government would consider creating a regulatory body for fox hunting which could work towards "minimising animal suffering". | He said a Conservative government would consider creating a regulatory body for fox hunting which could work towards "minimising animal suffering". |
| But Mr Benn insisted Mr Herbert and Mr Cameron's views were indicative of wider Conservative attitudes. | But Mr Benn insisted Mr Herbert and Mr Cameron's views were indicative of wider Conservative attitudes. |
| Footage released | Footage released |
| "If you think the Tories have changed, their views on fox hunting with dogs make it absolutely clear that their priorities haven't," he added. | "If you think the Tories have changed, their views on fox hunting with dogs make it absolutely clear that their priorities haven't," he added. |
| Only a small number of prosecutions under the Hunting Act have reached court since 2005, but the League Against Cruel Sports says the arguments in favour of repeal "don't stack up". | Only a small number of prosecutions under the Hunting Act have reached court since 2005, but the League Against Cruel Sports says the arguments in favour of repeal "don't stack up". |
| The League Against Cruel Sports has released graphic footage which it says reinforces the need for a ban. | The League Against Cruel Sports has released graphic footage which it says reinforces the need for a ban. |
| It says the footage, filmed before the act came into force, shows "the horrific cruelty" of hunting. | It says the footage, filmed before the act came into force, shows "the horrific cruelty" of hunting. |
| Chief executive Douglas Batchelor said: "The arguments in favour of repeal simply don't stack up and we believe the public has a right to see what the hunting lobby, and some politicians want to bring back. | Chief executive Douglas Batchelor said: "The arguments in favour of repeal simply don't stack up and we believe the public has a right to see what the hunting lobby, and some politicians want to bring back. |
| "The truth of the matter is that hunting is barbaric and cruel and the only purpose it serves is to appease the sick minds of a very small minority who enjoy torturing animals for their own entertainment." | "The truth of the matter is that hunting is barbaric and cruel and the only purpose it serves is to appease the sick minds of a very small minority who enjoy torturing animals for their own entertainment." |
| But the Countryside Alliance says the ban is "fundamentally illiberal, based not on principle and evidence but prejudice. Such laws should have no place in a modern, tolerant and free society." | But the Countryside Alliance says the ban is "fundamentally illiberal, based not on principle and evidence but prejudice. Such laws should have no place in a modern, tolerant and free society." |
| It also insists: "The hunting community stands united and determined to secure repeal and huge support is anticipated this year." | It also insists: "The hunting community stands united and determined to secure repeal and huge support is anticipated this year." |