League 'disappointed' by BBC backdown

The League Against Cruel Sports has expressed disappointment that its flagship rural affairs programme, Countryfile, decided not to broadcast film taken by League hunt observers which clearly shows illegal hunting. The film was thought to fall foul of the BBC’s recently revised Editorial Guidelines.

Louise Robertson, Deputy Head of Campaigns & Communications, said: “We are very disappointed that the BBC chose to back down on this broadcast. It raises much wider issues about the BBC’s ability to undertake and broadcast quality undercover journalism for which it has become known. We will raise these issues with the Secretary of State and with the House of Commons Culture Select Committee.”

The League has published the film on the video sharing website, YouTube.