Rishi Sunak told to keep trophy hunting promise in honour of murdered MP

25 October 2023 , 12:59

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The Tories committed to banning imports of hunting "trophies" (Image: Shutterstock)

A Tory backbencher spearheading attempts to ban trophy hunting imports has urged Rishi Sunak not to break his election vow.

The Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto pledged to block hunters bringing their sick souvenirs back to Britain. But MP Henry Smith’s Mirror-backed Private Member’s Bill was thwarted in the Lords, jeopardising moves to introduce a ban.

He has written to the Prime Minister calling on Mr Sunak to deliver a ban in memory of murdered Tory MP Sir David Amess, who supported a block on imports. Animal welfare campaigner Sir David was stabbed to death in his Southend-on-Sea constituency in Essex in October 2021. Backing an import ban two years earlier, he told the Commons: “Trophy hunting is a wicked, evil practice, and anyone who indulges in it or encourages it should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. We should not mince words or be intimidated on this issue - trophy hunting is an absolutely disgusting practice.”

Sir David Amess was murdered during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15, 2021 (PA)

Mr Smith highlighted his late colleague’s opposition to the practice in his letter to the PM, seen by the Mirror. “We concur with the sentiment and views expressed by Sir David Amess and note that every measure of public opinion that has been taken shows that the British people overwhelmingly want a ban on trophy hunting imports,” says Mr Smith. “You have given a public commitment on banning trophy hunting imports. We urge you to implement the ban as quickly as possible in memory of those who are no longer with us.”

The planned legislation would stop hunting tourists importing animal skins, severed heads and carcasses after shoots abroad. But Conservative peers, including some who support hunting, delivered a string of lengthy speeches as the clock ticked towards the debate’s deadline in the House of Lords last month.

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In his letter to the PM, Mr Smith says he was “gravely concerned that the passage of the Bill was hindered in the House of Lords”. He warns Mr Sunak: “We hope that you will uphold your previously stated desire to see an end to the importation of animal parts derived from trophy hunting into the UK.”

Jane Washington-Evans, whose late partner - the former Labour MP Bob Blizzard - helped set up the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: “These sick sports are simply about hunters getting pleasure thrills from kills - an addiction to the adrenaline kick or the power to take a life and watch these magnificent animals drop and die.

“Bringing home the body parts of dead animals to glory in their cruel sports is morally and ethically unacceptable - Parliament as well as the people know it, which is why it is so important that the bill to ban trophy hunting imports comes back immediately after the King’s Speech and becomes law as soon as possible. I make a plea to the Prime Minister - please fulfil the many promises made to the British people and moreover to Sir David Amess and end the imports of sick souvenirs from trophy hunting tourism and include the ban in the King’s Speech.”

The PM’s spokesman signalled the Government still planned to outlaw trophy hunting imports.

Ben Glaze