English hunt vote is 'no business for Scots MPs'

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Leading article: Barking up the wrong tree

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A call for Scottish MPs to be excluded from the landmark vote to ban foxhunting in England and Wales has been made by Tam Dalyell, the Father of the Commons.

Mr Dalyell said the 72 MPs in Scotland already had achieved a ban and should not take part in the vote on 18 March to impose a ban south of the border.

"Scottish MPs who have Scottish constituencies should not vote on English matters," said Mr Dalyell, the most senior backbencher in the Commons and a veteran campaigner over the constitutional question over votes in England for Scottish MPs.

His remarks will be used by pro-hunt supporters to challenge the validity of the massive majority that Labour MPs are certain to secure for a total ban. It could also embolden the Lords to reject the result when they vote on the options the following day.

Five members of the Cabinet have Scottish seats but Gordon Brown was the only one who abstained in the last vote. Alistair Darling and Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell, voted for a total ban.

John Reid, the Northern Ireland Secretary, voted for the "middle way" option to allow hunting but with a licensing system for packs – the option also favoured by Robin Cook, the Leader of the House. The vast majority of other MPs with Scottish seats voted for a ban.