Blair backs hunting ban

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has given his personal backing to an outright ban on hunting as his parliament begins two days of voting on the issue.

In a series of free votes, MPs are expected to vote overwhelmingly in favour of criminalising fox hunting.

Peers, who backed the continuation of hunting when they voted on the issue last year, vote again on Tuesday.

When Mr Blair backs a ban - he will abstain on the options of self-regulation and licensed hunts - it will be the first time he has voted on the issue since becoming Prime Minister.

His official spokesman indicated that the British government still hoped for a "consensus" on the way forward. "We want to listen to what will hopefully be an intelligent debate and then (Rural Affairs Minister) Alun Michael will make a statement on the way ahead, before the House rises for Easter," the spokesman said.

All recent votes have gone strongly in favour of a ban on foxhunting and the latest looks set to follow suit, despite reports of behind-the-scenes deals to save hunting, involving the Lords being persuaded to back the Middle Way option.

But opening what was expected to be a five-hour Commons debate, Mr Michael denied a deal had been done. He said the government remained neutral on what was "essentially a parliamentary issue" and there was no whip on government or opposition supporters to vote in a particular way.