Hunting Act must be urgently strengthened

THE attempted coup in Washington was shocking, but no surprise. Reportedly, almost half of Republicans – who have most of the guns – support the insurrection. The United States is at great peril.

Armed rebellion seems very unlikely here. Yet we have one significant grouping that I know well disturbingly resemble Trump loyalists.

They share a disregard for the truth, behave as if above the law, are contemptuous of the democratic will, hold their desires paramount.

They also comprise a curious, volatile amalgam of the rich and powerful and our equivalent of ‘rednecks’.

Like many Trumpists, they delight in inflicting terror and death upon defenceless animals. And they too [in September 2004] violently stormed the heart of our democracy.

For 15 years, most of our 250+ quarry hunts have been flouting the Hunting Act whilst peddling a pack of lies and riding roughshod over those who seek to protect their victims or bring them to justice.