Co-op MPs condemn pro-hunt extremists

FEARS that pro-hunting extremists will join with the far-right British National Party in a campaign of violence and civil disobedience to try to block a total ban on hunting with dogs has been aired by five Labour/Co-op MPs.

The five – Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West), Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West), Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith), Andy Reed (Loughborough) and David Lepper (Brighton Pavilion) – are among a group of over 50 backbench MPs who are supporting an Early Day Motion on the issue.

The motion tabled by Labour MP Martin Salter condemns the presence of the "neo-nazi BNP" at the Countryside Alliance lobby of Parliament when the Third Reading of the Hunting Bill took place on July 9th and views with concern threats by pro-hunting extremists in the Real Countryside Alliance to "block motorways, sabotage reservoirs, disrupt MPs&#039 advice surgeries and damage phone lines."

The MPs also note the BNP&#039s pro-hunting stance and say many individuals who attended the lobby of Parliament expressed a willingness to break the law when the Bill becomes law.

The MPs call on Home Secretary David Blunkett to take "whatever action is necessary" to uphold the rule of law.