Post by Taxigirl on Nov 20, 2004 9:02:27 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4027627.stm
SORRY CHAPS, GUESS YOU COULD ALWAYS CHASE THE
MOFH ROUND THE COUNTRYSIDE ;D
Hunts across England and Wales are to meet for the first time since the ban on hunting with hounds was forced through Parliament.
There have already been warnings that some people may flout the law when it comes into effect in February.
On Friday, pro-hunt campaigners launched a legal challenge to the ban.
The Countryside Alliance is protesting over the use of the Parliament Act to force through the ban on Thursday in the face of opposition from the Lords.
Protest plans
The group has also pledged to test loopholes in the ban on hunting with hounds when it comes into force on 18 February.
It says 50,000 people have said they are prepared to break the ban and continue hunting, "in the full knowledge they will be arrested".
On Friday, members of the alliance lodged papers with the High Court in London seeking a judicial review.
Lawyers claim the 1949 Parliament Act is itself invalid because it was never approved by the House of Lords.
The Countryside Alliance's Simon Hart said the case could have far-reaching "constitutional implications".
The BBC's Home Affairs correspondent Andy Tighe described the alliance's legal move as a "very big constitutional challenge", which, if it succeeded, could throw previous occasions when the 1949 Parliament Act had been used into doubt.
The application for a judicial review is being lodged by Countryside Alliance chairman John Jackson, farrier's wife Mair Hughes, from Rhondda, south Wales, and Bicester Hunt member Patrick Martin.
South and West Wilts Hunt is among those set to meet on Saturday.
'Shell-shocked'
David Corbin, Secretary of the hunt, told BBC News what he expected the mood to be like: "I think it is enormous anger and deep sadness, mixed with anger".
"People are totally shell-shocked, frankly, that such an unliberal act, such a prejudiced form of legislation should have got through our Parliament.
" We all have an enormous respect for the law, we've never had a problem in recognising the need for good behaviour and so on.
"And suddenly we are faced with the fact we are actually committing an illegal act - although the law won't come into effect for three months or so."
He said that he did not expect people on his hunt to break the law when the ban comes into effect.
But he added there may be people involved in hunting whose "anger may exceed the levels at which law-abiding citizens would except".
Mr Corbin added: "Certainly the hunt itself will not do anything which contrives the law, but the law is so shaky, even as it is drafted, has so many gaps in it, that I don't know that we won't be able to continue in some form or shape."
Tony Blair said the ban would now be an issue at the general election, expected early next year.
"I am afraid the views on both sides are very, very entrenched," said the prime minister.
Fox-hunting, the main focus of the debate, has been around for about 300 years in Britain.
Hunt enthusiasts say the pursuit is necessary to control foxes, hares, deer and mink. They argue the animals are killed quickly and without undue suffering.
They argue a ban infringes their human rights and also say it will be a bitter blow to the rural economy and put many people out of work.
Opponents have been campaigning for a ban for decades and say the practice is appallingly cruel and unnecessary.
SORRY CHAPS, GUESS YOU COULD ALWAYS CHASE THE
MOFH ROUND THE COUNTRYSIDE ;D
Hunts across England and Wales are to meet for the first time since the ban on hunting with hounds was forced through Parliament.
There have already been warnings that some people may flout the law when it comes into effect in February.
On Friday, pro-hunt campaigners launched a legal challenge to the ban.
The Countryside Alliance is protesting over the use of the Parliament Act to force through the ban on Thursday in the face of opposition from the Lords.
Protest plans
The group has also pledged to test loopholes in the ban on hunting with hounds when it comes into force on 18 February.
It says 50,000 people have said they are prepared to break the ban and continue hunting, "in the full knowledge they will be arrested".
On Friday, members of the alliance lodged papers with the High Court in London seeking a judicial review.
Lawyers claim the 1949 Parliament Act is itself invalid because it was never approved by the House of Lords.
The Countryside Alliance's Simon Hart said the case could have far-reaching "constitutional implications".
The BBC's Home Affairs correspondent Andy Tighe described the alliance's legal move as a "very big constitutional challenge", which, if it succeeded, could throw previous occasions when the 1949 Parliament Act had been used into doubt.
The application for a judicial review is being lodged by Countryside Alliance chairman John Jackson, farrier's wife Mair Hughes, from Rhondda, south Wales, and Bicester Hunt member Patrick Martin.
South and West Wilts Hunt is among those set to meet on Saturday.
'Shell-shocked'
David Corbin, Secretary of the hunt, told BBC News what he expected the mood to be like: "I think it is enormous anger and deep sadness, mixed with anger".
"People are totally shell-shocked, frankly, that such an unliberal act, such a prejudiced form of legislation should have got through our Parliament.
" We all have an enormous respect for the law, we've never had a problem in recognising the need for good behaviour and so on.
"And suddenly we are faced with the fact we are actually committing an illegal act - although the law won't come into effect for three months or so."
He said that he did not expect people on his hunt to break the law when the ban comes into effect.
But he added there may be people involved in hunting whose "anger may exceed the levels at which law-abiding citizens would except".
Mr Corbin added: "Certainly the hunt itself will not do anything which contrives the law, but the law is so shaky, even as it is drafted, has so many gaps in it, that I don't know that we won't be able to continue in some form or shape."
Tony Blair said the ban would now be an issue at the general election, expected early next year.
"I am afraid the views on both sides are very, very entrenched," said the prime minister.
Fox-hunting, the main focus of the debate, has been around for about 300 years in Britain.
Hunt enthusiasts say the pursuit is necessary to control foxes, hares, deer and mink. They argue the animals are killed quickly and without undue suffering.
They argue a ban infringes their human rights and also say it will be a bitter blow to the rural economy and put many people out of work.
Opponents have been campaigning for a ban for decades and say the practice is appallingly cruel and unnecessary.