BRITAIN: British fox-hunters failed to overturn the government's ban on their sport yesterday but vowed to fight on in court, sparing the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, rowdy protests in the run-up to the expected May election.
The issue had promised to become an embarrassment for Mr Blair, whose government banned hunting with dogs last November.
The ban is due to come into effect next month.
Mr Simon Hart of the Countryside Alliance, speaking after the pro-hunting group lost its first legal challenge against the ban, said: "We are battling on with confidence. There is a long way to go. Keep hunting, keep fighting."
The government had rammed through the ban with the rarely used 1949 Parliament Act, prompting the Alliance's court challenge.
Two of Britain's top judges rejected their claim that the 1949 Act was invalid but gave them leave to appeal on February 8th, just 10 days before the ban is due to come into effect in England and Wales.
The alliance is also launching a second court case, arguing that their human rights were infringed by the ban. That hearing may not take place until April.
The Blair government is opposing the alliance in court but is happy to let the troublesome issue slip until after the election, saying it is taking a "relaxed" view.
Militant hunt supporters had been planning a civil disobedience campaign ahead of the election with open defiance of the ban and protests such as dumping animal carcases on ministers' doors. - Reuters