Chris Packham has urged the Government to ban trail hunting, describing it as an easy way to regain public support after its recent electoral setbacks. The BBC wildlife presenter spoke at a Westminster protest organised by the League Against Cruel Sports, attended by around 300 people.
Packham, 65, criticised the Government for failing to fulfil its manifesto pledge to stop fox hunting, despite a large majority. He noted that a 12-week consultation on trail hunting is under way, but argued it is unnecessary given that 80% of the British public oppose the practice.
“I’m now 65-years old, and I cannot believe that I’m standing here, and this is still going on,” Packham told the Press Association. He called the practice “hideous” and “sociopathic”, and suggested the Government should see banning trail hunting as “low-hanging fruit” to satisfy the public.
Actor Peter Egan, 79, also spoke at the protest, condemning hunters as “narcissistic psychopaths”. The Downton Abbey star said the Government should not need consultations on something the public overwhelmingly opposes. “These hobbies, for narcissistic psychopaths, do not need consultations,” he said.
