PM believed foxhunting ban was a ‘significant mistake’

TONY BLAIR believed it would be a “significant political mistake” to impose a nationwide ban on foxhunting and wanted to give counties the chance to hold referendums on the issue.

The former prime minister favoured giving local authorities the power to issue licences to hunt with hounds, believing it would take the heat out of the town versus country element of the controversy.

In the end a national ban was introduced. Earlier this month, Labour peer Lord Mandelson claimed an animal rights group donated £1million to Labour “in return” for a ban, though Sir Tony has denied there was any such agreement.

Documents released by the National Archives show that Mr Blair had no personal enthusiasm for a foxhunting ban, which became a hugely divisive issue during his first term in office.

A note written in April 1998 by Angus Lapsley, private secretary to home secretary Jack Straw, recorded that Mr Blair “remained of the view that it would be a significant political mistake to introduce a blanket ban through Parliament. “However, he recognised the strength of feeling about the issue in the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party].”

Mr Blair was attracted by the idea of giving local authorities the power to decide whether or not to allow hunting in their areas, which they could decide themselves or by holding referendums.

Mr Blair later confessed the Hunting Bill was one of the measures he most regretted as prime minister, admitting he did not know enough about the debate before he came out in support of a ban on the spur of the moment during an appearance on Question Time.