Recent reports that the Hunting Act is nothing more than a temporary ban on hunting are quite simply not true.

The Hunting Act is an important piece of animal welfare legislation which protects wild animals from needless suffering and to repeal it would be a step backwards.

I'm sure most readers, like the League Against Cruel Sports, abhor fox hunting, but it also worth reminding them that the Conservatives have promised a free vote on repeal if they are elected in the next General Election.

In doing so, the party would be going against the will of 59 per cent of its own voters and 75 per cent of the public who think hunting should remain illegal. More importantly, it would also be leaving itself wide open to being labelled the 'nasty party' which supports bloodsports and animal cruelty.

John Cooper, chairman, League Against Cruel Sports.