Stay of execution for hunting? (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Stay of execution for hunting?

FOX hunting has been given a stay of execution following a deal sanctioned by Tony Blair.

But the Government, which says it won't fight an application for an appeal against a ban, continues to come under fire from both pro- and anti-hunt campaigners.

Downing Street last week confirmed that Attorney General Lord Goldsmith will not fight an application for an injunction.

This means that, although hunting will be technically outlawed from February 18, it could still continue until all avenues of legal appeal are exhausted.

However, Cotswold pro-hunt campaigners say the news is a cynical ploy to ease pressure on the Government ahead of next year's General Election.

While the League Against Cruel Sports says the Government is 'giving in to bullying'.

Vale of the White Horse Hunt joint master Mark Hill said: "We're certainly going to keep the pressure on. I would be completely cynical about their approach.

"We want to believe that at some stage the law will be repealed. "We're very confident that right will be on our side."

While Beaufort Hunt spokesman Jo Aldridge said: "It doesn't actually change anything. We're not going to stop hunting anyway.

"We will still be working hard to try and change the balance of power and get rid of a bad an unjust law, which will do nothing for animal welfare.

"Hunting with hounds is the most humane and selective way of managing the fox population." Hunting was outlawed after the Parliament Act was used to force through a ban in the face of opposition from the Lords.

The decision prompted an angry backlash from pro-hunt campaigners, who vowed to continue the countryside pursuit and stage a series of protests.

The Countryside Alliance is now set to lodge appeals with the House of Lords and in Europe under human rights legislation.

And while the legal arguments are investigated, the ban could be postponed for up to a year.

However, the League Against Cruel Sports has a different reason for criticising the Government's latest stance.

League chairman John Cooper said: "We are appalled that Downing Street is giving into threats of violence, bullying and intimidation instead of defending the decisions of Parliament and doing everything within its power to uphold the Hunting Act, which now has Royal assent.

"There is no reason whatsoever for the law not to be enforced."