I WAS both saddened and furious to read that the Government has said it will allow a free vote in Parliament which could lead to a return to the cruelty of hunting wild animals with packs of dogs despite the fact that a massive majority of the public backs the 2004 ban.

Without a doubt, tormenting defenceless animals for fun is an activity that must never be allowed to rear its ugly head again in our beautiful countryside.

It beggars belief that, just six years after the passing of the Hunting Act, we could be stepping back into barbarism, but once again expediency rules, which is why the Tories and Liberal Democrats have gleefully jumped into bed together.

The moral: never mind what decent people want – let’s pander to the bloodthirsty few.

Aled Jones, Bridlington, East Yorkshire.