TORY plans to repeal the ban on hunting foxes with hounds, as pledged by Theresa May and her abortive rival Andrea Leadsom, should be thrown out, a former supporter of the barbaric pastime has said.

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has called on Prime Minister Theresa May not to repeal the ban, saying the Tories should “move on.”

Sir Ranulph, 72, who once marched with the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance, said Tory voters’ views had changed since the Hunting Act 2004 was introduced and urged the party to focus on other rural issues like housing and support for farmers.