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Ricky Gervais reminds UK of David Cameron's promise to vote on repealing fox hunting ban after Conservative election victory

The PM claims the Hunting Act 'has done nothing for animal welfare'

Heather Saul
Monday 11 May 2015 10:03 BST
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Gervais reminded his eight million Twitter followers of this pledge after a Tory majority was declared
Gervais reminded his eight million Twitter followers of this pledge after a Tory majority was declared (Reuters)

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Ricky Gervais has reminded the electorate of a pledge David Cameron made to hold a parliamentary vote on repealing the fox hunting ban if the Conservatives won the election.

Mr Cameron expressed his views on hunting in a comment piece for Countryside Alliance magazine in March, where he criticised the 2004 Hunting Act passed by the Labour Government.

The act bans the hunting of wild animals, including but not limited to foxes, deer and hares.

“I have always been a strong supporter of country sports," he wrote. "It is my firm belief that people should have the freedom to hunt, so I share the frustration that many people feel about the Hunting Act and the way it was brought in by the last government.

A fox hunt in England
A fox hunt in England (Getty Images)

“The Hunting Act has done nothing for animal welfare. A Conservative Government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government Bill in government time."

Gervais reminded his eight million Twitter followers of this pledge after a Tory majority was declared, warning: "David Cameron says he wants to repeal the fox hunting ban."

The comedian is a vocal animal rights supporter and most recently took hunter Rebecca Francis to task for killing a host of animals by posting a picture of her lying next to a dead giraffe.

If the Prime Minister does keep his promise, MPs will vote on whether to keep hunting with dogs illegal. Labour responded to the piece by vowing to defend the current ban on fox hunting, arguing the practice has “no place in a civilised society”.

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