Paul McCartney warns David Cameron he will 'lose the support of the British people' if fox hunting is reintroduced

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Sir Paul McCartney warns David Cameron he will 'lose the support of the British people' if fox hunting is reintroduced
· The veteran rocker and Beatle spoke out ahead of vote on a law change
· Blasted the practice as 'cruel and unnecessary' and unpopular in Britain
· MPs to vote on how many dogs can be used to 'flush out' foxes to be shot
· Law in England and Wales is currently different to Scottish legislation
By ELAINE O'FLYNN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11 July 2015


Animal lover: Sir Paul McCartney has spoken out about proposed changes to the fox hunting law

Sir Paul McCartney has warned the government plans to reintroduce 'cruel and unnecessary' fox hunting will not be backed by British people.
The veteran rock star made the comments as ministers put forward changes to the Hunting Act, which would bring England and Wales in line with Scotland on using dogs to 'flush out' foxes to be shot.
Traditional fox hunting with dogs is illegal across Britain, but in England and Wales, only two dogs can be used to flush out a fox so that a farmer or landowner can shoot it, while in Scotland an unlimited number of dogs can be used.
A change in the law will be voted on next week, as the Government faces accusation it is resorting to 'desperate measures' to sneak fox hunting in through the back door.
Now Sir Paul has waded into the row, saying: 'The people of Britain are behind this Tory government on many things but the vast majority of us will be against them if hunting is reintroduced.
'It is cruel and unnecessary and will lose them support from ordinary people and animal lovers like myself.'
Queen guitarist Brian May has already voiced his opposition to the move, warning that the rule changes will only benefit those who wish to take part in 'a sadistic blood sport for fun'.


Law change: Traditional fox hunting with dogs is illegal across Britain, but in England and Wales only two dogs can be used to flush out a fox so a farmer can shoot it, compared with an unlimited amount in Scotland




Shadow environment secretary Maria Eagle has accused David Cameron of resorting to desperate measures to bring back fox hunting because he did not have the numbers to repeal the Act in a free vote in Parliament.
But hunting supporters backed the proposed changes, saying traditional hunting would remain illegal and it would make it easier to manage fox populations.
The Environment Department said the amendments would allow for effective and humane shooting as part of the existing exemption in the Act that allows for pest control, and that the ban on hunting with dogs would remain in place.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: 'We are making these technical amendments to the pest control measures within the Hunting Act to more closely align the legislation with Scotland.'


Campaigner: Queen guitarist Sir Brian May speaking on TV against fox hunting. He has said any law change will only help people who wish to take part in a 'sadistic blood sport for fun'