Nats may dump rules to block hunting ban repeal

NICOLA Sturgeon is considering abandoning the SNP’s voting traditions in a bid to block the return of fox-hunting in England and Wales.

The Nationalist leadership is under pressure from activists to tear up a long-standing pledge not to interfere in laws that have no impact north of the Border.

David Cameron has vowed to hold a free Commons vote on lifting the hunting ban that was imposed more than a decade ago, and supporters are confident of victory following the General Election result.

As there are no financial repercussions for Scotland, which banned fox-hunting two years earlier, the 56 Nationalist MPs would be expected to abstain in the crunch vote. However, under pressure from social media, the First Minister signalled a U-turn and wrote on Twitter: ‘The SNP has not yet taken decision on this. We don’t agree with repealing ban.’

If the Nationalists decide to vote on the issue, hopes of lifting the ban would almost certainly be dashed. SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson told the Murnaghan show on Sky News that he would be looking ‘closely’ at any forthcoming legislation. ‘[We’ll] look at it on its merits,’ he said.

In an apparent attempt to justify future interference in English laws, he added: ‘The UK Government is imposing its will on Scotland with only one [Tory] MP.’

Prior to the election, Miss Sturgeon had already signalled a change to voting traditions on issues such as the health budget, because there are budget consequences for Holyrood.

League Against Cruel Sports spokesman Mark McCormick said: ‘The repeal of the Hunting Act in England and Wales would be a massive setback for animal welfare everywhere.’