The HSA can reveal that Tory MP and Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has recently cancelled his membership of a controversial hunt group.
Rees-Mogg has been a paying subscriber to the Chilmark & Clifton Foot Beagles for about a decade, but has recently decided not to renew his subscription. Like all beagle packs, the Chilmark & Clifton Foot continue to hunt hares under the guise of “trail hunting.” The HSA believes that Rees-Mogg is trying to sever his links with hunting before the general election in a few weeks time.
HSA Press Officer, Lee Moon commented, “When even a fanatical hunt supporter like Jacob Rees-Mogg is distancing himself from a hunt you have to ask what is going on. If the Chilmark & Clifton Foot are really engaged in trail hunting then why is Rees-Mogg turning his back on them?”
Rees-Mogg also has close family ties to the neighbouring Mendip Farmers Hunt and regularly hosts them at his Somerset home. Hunt sabs have frequently had to intervene when this hunt have chased foxes and blocked badger setts.
Notes to editors:
(1) The Chilmark & Clifton Foot Beagles are one of about sixty beagle packs that hunt hares on foot.
(2) Footage of the Mendip Farmers Hunt chasing a fox can be seen here :https://www.league.org.uk/
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