Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss previously wanted to bring back fox hunting, we can reveal.
In 2015, Ms Truss, now the Foreign Secretary, said "I would vote to repeal” the Hunting Act, which outlawed the bloodsport.
And her rival Kemi Badenoch ’s camp was forced to deny she wanted to scrap the ban after being confronted with a 2019 article in which she was reported to support repealing the Act.
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The revelations prompted fears for the future of the ban as candidates vie for support in the race for No10.
The Mirror contacted the camps of all five remaining candidates today asking for their positions.
Ms Truss’s spokesman said: “As Prime Minister, Liz Truss will be focused on slashing taxes, growing the economy, beating Vladimir Putin and delivering for working people.”
Her team did not deny she still backed repealing the ban, but it is understood she believes the issue of fox hunting is “settled”.
A 2019 profile of Ms Badenoch by Business Today stated: “Badenoch supports a repeal of the ban on fox hunting.”
However, her spokesman today claimed “it’s not her view” and insisted she did not want to axe the ban.
A source on Rishi Sunak's campaign said: “No, we won’t be supporting a repeal - our countryside communities are facing much bigger issues right now.”
Neither Ms Mordaunt’s nor Mr Tugendhat’s team commented on whether they supported maintaining the ban.
Theresa May ’s outspoken backing for fox hunting in 2017 helped scupper her election campaign when she told the Mirror why she wanted a return of the controversial bloodsport.
Tory strategists fear a revival of the row could reopen deep wounds within the party, with its centrist One Nation wing largely opposed but shire traditionalists keen for a return of hunting with hounds.
League Against Cruel Sport chief executive Andy Knott said: “The choice is clear - have a leader who is forward thinking, modern and relevant, unshackled by out-of-date attitudes, or have someone who prioritises the few over the many.
“The remaining candidates need to be bold and simply tell us whether they would pledge to strengthen the Hunting Act.”
Shadow Environment Secretary Jim McMahon said: “The Hunting Act was a landmark moment in the fight against animal cruelty and is one of Labour ’s important achievements in government.
“Labour is the party of animal welfare and in government we will go further to protect animal welfare by putting an end to trail hunting.”
