This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33516713

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
SNP will vote to keep English fox hunting legislation SNP will vote to keep English fox hunting legislation
(about 9 hours later)
The SNP group at Westminster has decided to vote against attempts to relax the ban on fox hunting in England and Wales. The SNP group at Westminster is to vote against attempts to relax the ban on fox hunting in England and Wales.
Nationalist MPs agreed to support the current restrictions. Angus Robertson, leader of the group, said the party wanted to send a message to the Conservative government about the narrowness of its majority.
He said the ban in England and Wales should be maintained while the Scottish parliament considers strengthening the law in Scotland.
The House of Commons is to consider the legislation on Wednesday.The House of Commons is to consider the legislation on Wednesday.
SNP Westminster group leader Angus Robertson said the ban in England and Wales should be maintained while the Scottish parliament considers strengthening the law in Scotland. The UK government intends to introduce measures to prevent Scottish MPs voting on purely English matters in future.
The UK intends government to introduce measures to prevent Scottish MPs voting on purely English matters in future. 'Arrogant' government
Mr Robertson said: "We totally oppose fox hunting, and when there are moves in the Scottish Parliament to review whether the existing Scottish ban is strong enough, it is in the Scottish interest to maintain the existing ban in England and Wales for Holyrood to consider.Mr Robertson said: "We totally oppose fox hunting, and when there are moves in the Scottish Parliament to review whether the existing Scottish ban is strong enough, it is in the Scottish interest to maintain the existing ban in England and Wales for Holyrood to consider.
"We are in a situation where the Tory government are refusing to agree to any amendments to improve the Scotland Bill - which are supported by 58 of Scotland's 59 MPs - and imposing English Votes for English Laws to make Scotland's representation at Westminster second class."We are in a situation where the Tory government are refusing to agree to any amendments to improve the Scotland Bill - which are supported by 58 of Scotland's 59 MPs - and imposing English Votes for English Laws to make Scotland's representation at Westminster second class.
"In these circumstances, it is right and proper that we assert the Scottish interest on fox hunting by voting with Labour against the Tories' proposals to relax the ban." "In these circumstances, it is right and proper that we assert the Scottish interest on fox hunting by voting with Labour against the Tories' proposals to relax the ban - in the process, reminding an arrogant UK government of just how slender their majority is - just as we will vote against the Tory welfare cuts next week, and appeal to Labour to join us."
Traditional fox hunting with dogs is illegal across Britain, but in England and Wales, only two dogs can be used to flush out a fox so that a farmer or landowner can shoot it, while in Scotland an unlimited number of dogs can be used.Traditional fox hunting with dogs is illegal across Britain, but in England and Wales, only two dogs can be used to flush out a fox so that a farmer or landowner can shoot it, while in Scotland an unlimited number of dogs can be used.
Conservative MPs have been given a free vote on the issue but hunting supporters appear unlikely to muster sufficient numbers to win the vote now that the SNP have against them. Conservative MPs have been given a free vote on a proposal to relax the law on the use of dogs so that it is the same in England and Wales as in Scotland - but hunting supporters appear unlikely to muster sufficient numbers to win the vote now that they have the SNP against them.
Reaction on Twitter to the SNP decision, Scottish Secretary David Mundell's adviser Prof Adam Tomkins said: "More posturing from the SNP: last week EVEL, this week foxes. It's just tactics, designed to irritate. Ignore them and don't rise to it." Reacting on Twitter to the SNP decision, Scottish Secretary David Mundell's adviser Prof Adam Tomkins said: "More posturing from the SNP: last week EVEL, this week foxes. It's just tactics, designed to irritate. Ignore them and don't rise to it."
In February, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon identified fox-hunting as the sort of English-only issue her party's MPs would not vote on.
'Stand against cruelty'
Animal welfare activists are gathering on Tuesday to stage a rally outside Parliament, urging MPs to keep the ban.
It has been organised by a coalition of animal rights groups with Queen guitarist Brian May among the campaigners due to attend.
More than 20 high-profile people, including former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, comedian Alexei Sayle and TV presenter Chris Packham, have signed a letter to MPs.
It warns the government is trying to "weaken the Hunting Act though the back door, knowing full well that a free vote would maintain this effective, compassionate law".
Robbie Marsland, director of League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, said: "We applaud the decision of the SNP to oppose repeal of the Hunting Act through the back door.
"They have rightly taken a stand against animal cruelty and we look forward to working with them to strengthen the ban in Scotland to ensure no one is able to encourage a pack of hounds to chase and rip apart a wild animal."