WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: PRO-HUNTING MP James Gray has provoked a storm of protest after accepting an honorary post with a national veterinary body.

The North Wiltshire MP has become an honorary associate of the British Veterinary Association, which has its own animal welfare foundation.

The foundation says it is "committed to improving the welfare of all animals through veterinary science, education and debate."

But other animal rights groups have derided Mr Gray's appointment as "absolutely farcical" because of his strong pro-hunting stance in Parliament and his commitment to the sport.

League Against Cruel Sports spokesman Peter Parks said: "My first reaction is to say they must be joking. It's absolutely ridiculous.

"Here is a guy who goes out hunting week in week out killing foxes and they are offering him an honorary membership like this.

"What has he done for animal welfare? The only thing I've ever heard him speak on in the House is hunting and the only thing I've ever heard him campaign on is hunting.

"As far as I'm concerned he's a hunter first and a Parliamentarian second.

"Unless they are giving this for his work on hunting then I'm totally baffled. If they are going to give him an award they should say what it's for let them stand up and justify what they've done."

International Fund for Animal Welfare spokesman Gemma Jeffcoate said: "James Gray MP is well known to be a strong supporter of the cruel sports of fox hunting, deer hunting and hare coursing.

"IFAW is surprised he has been appointed an honorary associate of the BVA, an organisation that represents people who devote their lives to the welfare of animals."

RSPCA regional spokesman Jo Barr said she did not want to comment directly on Mr Gray's appointment, but admitted it could be seen as ironic.

Mr Gray has hit back at the critics. He said: "That's a ridiculous thing to say. The BVA take no specific position on hunting at all.

"They certainly don't think hunting is cruel nor indeed does anyone else except a few animal rights extremists.

"My work for animals of all kinds for many years stands for itself.

"It shows how desperate these groups are that rather than seeking to engage in arguments about hunting they engage in personal insults."

BVA spokesman Helena Cotton said: "Hunting has been debated by the BVA Council on several occasions. Each time it has been agreed that it is a matter to be left to the conscience of the individual veterinary surgeon.

"James Gray's appointment as a BVA Honorary Associate had no bearing whatsoever on his stance on fox hunting. His appointment reflects his contributions to agriculture and animal health and welfare over recent years and his anticipated continued involvement in this important area."