Politics

Boris Johnson under growing pressure to back Bill banning trophy hunting imports


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A senior Labour backbencher will present legislation in the Commons this week aimed at outlawing hunters bringing their sick souvenirs back to the UK – a pledge the Government made two years ago

Cecil the lion was killed by a trophy hunter

Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to back an MP’s bid to ban trophy hunters bringing their sick souvenirs back to the UK.

Labour ’s John Spellar spearheads a Commons attempt to change the law on Friday when he presents his Private Member’s Bill.

The Tories pledged at the 2019 election to ban hunters importing their spoils to Britain.

But it is unclear if the Government will support Mr Spellar’s Bill.

The MP called on the Prime Minister to throw the Government’s weight behind the legislation, “so we can get a law as soon as possible and end this vile trade once and for all”.







Labour MP John Spellar
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Image:

Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament (Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)))

He added: “The public and all parties actually agree on this issue.”

The Mirror has fought to end trophy hunting imports.

Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting founder Eduardo Gonçalves said: “The Government says it wants to ban trophies but then refuses to say when it will do it.

“It should either back John Spellar’s Bill or publish its own Bill.

“It’s been two years since the Government first promised to act.







Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting founder Eduardo Gonçalves
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Image:

Twitter)

“Another 300 animals – some of them endangered – have been killed for kicks by sadistic British trophy hunters.

“They’ve then brought their bodies, heads, skins and tusks back to the UK to decorate their living rooms with.

“Trophy hunting is nothing but archaic barbarity. It’s utter insanity at a time when so much wildlife is on the brink of extinction.

“Nine in 10 voters want this ban now – no ifs, no buts.

He urged the PM: “Come on Boris, let’s get the ban done. Produce your Bill or back John Spellar’s one.”







The PM is under pressure to act
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Image:

UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag)

No10 said the Government would publish its response to the plan to ban trophy hunting late this week.

Speaking in the Commons last month, Mr Johnson said: “We are going to introduce legislation this Parliament to ban the import of hunting trophies, and delivering the change that we promised.”





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