Thursday, December 23, 2004
ANTI-HUNT LOBBY FURIOUS
Anti-hunt lobby furious at deal to delay the ban
By Jenny Booth,
Times Online
Opponents of foxhunting have reacted with fury to the news that the bloodsport is set to continue for another year under a deal sanctioned by Tony Blair.The field sport was due to be outlawed in England and Wales on February 18 after the Parliament Act was used to force through a ban, overruling opposition from the Lords.But as the Countryside Alliance begins the lengthy process of challenging the ban through the courts, Downing Street confirmed that the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith will not put up any opposition if the Alliance asks for an injunction to delay the ban while the legal action continues.A Downing Street spokesman said: "If the Countryside Alliance is mindful to take out an injunction we are mindful not to oppose that."With two separate cases not due in court until next year, and the likelihood of appeals going as far as the House of Lords, the foxhunting ban could be delayed for many months.But John Cooper, chairman of The League Against Cruel Sports, said there was "no excuse" for delaying."We are appalled that Downing Street is giving in to threats of violence, bullying and intimidation instead of defending the decisions of Parliament and doing everything within their power to uphold the Hunting Act which now has Royal Assent," he said."There is no reason whatsoever for the law not to be enforced."Mr Cooper said the Countryside Alliance had tried and failed to delay implementation of the hunting ban in Scotland two years ago."The Scottish court rejected their case and their request for an injunction ... We have no reason to believe the English courts will not do the same."The Government is thought to be trying to avoid the campaign of civil disobedience threatened by pro-hunters in the run-up to the General Election, expected on May 5.It risks infuriating Labour backbenchers, who were the driving force behind the foxhunting ban, as well as many party supporters.Tony Blair is understood strongly to support the advice of Government law officers not to oppose the injunction.Before the ban, the Prime Minister attempted to broker a compromise to allow hunting to continue under licence. He was disappointed when the House of Lords voted for an immediate ban rather than for the 18 month delay proposed by the Government. Peers voted for the so-called "kamikaze option" to maximise embarrassment to the PM in the run-up to the election.The Alliance is expected to apply for an injunction when the case comes before the Appeal Court late next month.John Jackson, the chairman of the Alliance, a moderate who is credited with arranging the deal, said today: "On the basis of conversations that have taken place between counsel... my very clear understanding is that the Attorney General would not object to an application for an injunction suspending the operation of the Act."Both legal challenges have got very considerable legs and, in my opinion, great legal and moral right behind them."Asked if those expecting a ban in February should think again, he replied: "Absolutely, in my view."Alun Michael, the Rural Affairs Minister who has been the target of pro-hunt demonstrations, said the Government was "relaxed" about the challenges but did not expect them to succeed.Insisting it was "not a question of a secret deal", he said: "What you simply see here is the Government being reasonable as we have been all along despite the fact that this is probably the most contentious issue, although not necessarily the most important, that we’ve seen in politics."He pointed out that the February commencement date was voted for by pro-hunt peers and not MPs.James Gray, a Conservative spokesman, said police should not waste time enforcing the ban until its legality was established.Paul Flynn, an anti-hunting Labour backbencher, backed the Government’s stance. He said: "As a veteran enthusiast for a ban on bloodsports, I voted for an 18-month delay to allow hunters to adjust."In a cynical political stunt the Countryside Alliance - through the House of Lords - brought forward the ban to February 2005. We must not fall into the trap they have devised, and abide by the will of elected parliamentarians and introduce the ban in 2006."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1414312,00.html
By Jenny Booth,
Times Online
Opponents of foxhunting have reacted with fury to the news that the bloodsport is set to continue for another year under a deal sanctioned by Tony Blair.The field sport was due to be outlawed in England and Wales on February 18 after the Parliament Act was used to force through a ban, overruling opposition from the Lords.But as the Countryside Alliance begins the lengthy process of challenging the ban through the courts, Downing Street confirmed that the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith will not put up any opposition if the Alliance asks for an injunction to delay the ban while the legal action continues.A Downing Street spokesman said: "If the Countryside Alliance is mindful to take out an injunction we are mindful not to oppose that."With two separate cases not due in court until next year, and the likelihood of appeals going as far as the House of Lords, the foxhunting ban could be delayed for many months.But John Cooper, chairman of The League Against Cruel Sports, said there was "no excuse" for delaying."We are appalled that Downing Street is giving in to threats of violence, bullying and intimidation instead of defending the decisions of Parliament and doing everything within their power to uphold the Hunting Act which now has Royal Assent," he said."There is no reason whatsoever for the law not to be enforced."Mr Cooper said the Countryside Alliance had tried and failed to delay implementation of the hunting ban in Scotland two years ago."The Scottish court rejected their case and their request for an injunction ... We have no reason to believe the English courts will not do the same."The Government is thought to be trying to avoid the campaign of civil disobedience threatened by pro-hunters in the run-up to the General Election, expected on May 5.It risks infuriating Labour backbenchers, who were the driving force behind the foxhunting ban, as well as many party supporters.Tony Blair is understood strongly to support the advice of Government law officers not to oppose the injunction.Before the ban, the Prime Minister attempted to broker a compromise to allow hunting to continue under licence. He was disappointed when the House of Lords voted for an immediate ban rather than for the 18 month delay proposed by the Government. Peers voted for the so-called "kamikaze option" to maximise embarrassment to the PM in the run-up to the election.The Alliance is expected to apply for an injunction when the case comes before the Appeal Court late next month.John Jackson, the chairman of the Alliance, a moderate who is credited with arranging the deal, said today: "On the basis of conversations that have taken place between counsel... my very clear understanding is that the Attorney General would not object to an application for an injunction suspending the operation of the Act."Both legal challenges have got very considerable legs and, in my opinion, great legal and moral right behind them."Asked if those expecting a ban in February should think again, he replied: "Absolutely, in my view."Alun Michael, the Rural Affairs Minister who has been the target of pro-hunt demonstrations, said the Government was "relaxed" about the challenges but did not expect them to succeed.Insisting it was "not a question of a secret deal", he said: "What you simply see here is the Government being reasonable as we have been all along despite the fact that this is probably the most contentious issue, although not necessarily the most important, that we’ve seen in politics."He pointed out that the February commencement date was voted for by pro-hunt peers and not MPs.James Gray, a Conservative spokesman, said police should not waste time enforcing the ban until its legality was established.Paul Flynn, an anti-hunting Labour backbencher, backed the Government’s stance. He said: "As a veteran enthusiast for a ban on bloodsports, I voted for an 18-month delay to allow hunters to adjust."In a cynical political stunt the Countryside Alliance - through the House of Lords - brought forward the ban to February 2005. We must not fall into the trap they have devised, and abide by the will of elected parliamentarians and introduce the ban in 2006."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1414312,00.html
