Tories shoot down trophy hunt ban over privacy fears

The Government has blocked a Bill seeking to ban trophy hunting because it wanted to remove a clause that enabled the details of existing owners of stuffed hunting trophies to be retained.

The private members Bill, brought by John Spellar, a Labour MP, was due to have its second reading yesterday in the House of Commons.

However, the Government blocked Mr Spellar’s Bill when it was read out in the chamber by shouting “Object!”

Time constraints in the Commons mean most members’ Bills are voted through “on the nod”, without debate.

Mr Spellar’s Bill was opposed because the Government has already said it will draft legislation on hunting trophies. A government source said ministers would bring forward a similar Bill but would remove a clause from Mr Spellar’s proposed legislation that would require all owners of hunting trophies to enter them on a register.

Mr Spellar said the Government had “disgracefully” blocked his Bill.