Stars demand ban on trophy hunt imports

MORE than 50 celebrities have demanded that the Government ban trophy hunters from importing body parts into Britain.

The stars, including musician Ed Sheeran, actress Joanna Lumley and TV presenter Carol Vorderman, have signed an open letter urging Environment Secretary Michael Gove to halt the import of tusks, skins and fur from ‘cruel, immoral, archaic and unjustifiable’ hunting.

The letter, in support of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting (CBTH), comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed that two tons of elephant ivory has been allowed into Britain in the past decade and the number of lion trophies arriving here has doubled since 2015. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Tory MP Zac Goldsmith and Lib Dem MP Sir Ed Davey have also signed the letter.

CBTH founder Eduardo Gonçalves said: ‘Britain has sought to be a world leader in animal welfare. However, its reputation is in serious danger following recent revelations that it is allowing hunters to kill and bring home trophies of some of the world’s most endangered species.’