New: leaked email shows Boris Johnson supports the continued use of real black bear fur for hats worn by the Coldstream Guards.
Animal charity Peta, who named his wife Carrie as their "person of the year", tells @LBC the bears "shouldn't be slaughtered for ornamental hats".
Animal charity Peta, who named his wife Carrie as their "person of the year", tells @LBC the bears "shouldn't be slaughtered for ornamental hats".
Each of the famous hats worn by soldiers on ceremonial duties outside places like Buckingham Palace requires the pelt of one bear.
In 2020, the Ministry of Defence spent £145,000 on the pelts from Canada. That's enough for 110 hats at a cost of £1,315 each.
In 2020, the Ministry of Defence spent £145,000 on the pelts from Canada. That's enough for 110 hats at a cost of £1,315 each.
Sources tell me Carrie Johnson is supportive of Peta's campaign.
But the PM is taking the MoD line.
In December, MoD wrote to a complainant, saying a fake alternative didn't keep the rain off and lost shape.
Also "performed poorly on visual assessment".
*Didn't look right.
But the PM is taking the MoD line.
In December, MoD wrote to a complainant, saying a fake alternative didn't keep the rain off and lost shape.
Also "performed poorly on visual assessment".
*Didn't look right.
Now the Government's Animal Welfare Bill is expected to outlaw the import of any product from dead animals, killed by trophy hunters.
That would include the pelts of Canadian black bears. (picture below).
But the MoD will still be able to buy the pelts for the famous hats.
That would include the pelts of Canadian black bears. (picture below).
But the MoD will still be able to buy the pelts for the famous hats.
To add to the mire, Christopher Safati, the boss of Ecopel which developed the fake alternative, has written to the PM to accuse him of repeating "inaccurate claims" made by the MoD when it came to his fur free hat.
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