Jonathan Djanogly, the Member of Parliament for the Huntingdon Constituency, today attacked the Home Secretary on the Floor of the House at Prime Minister's Questions.
Mr Djanogly said:
"Following the weekend revelation that the Home Secretary is or was a patron of an anti-vivisectionist organisation, what comfort can the Prime Minister give to the British scientific community and hundreds of my constituents who continue to have their lives and livelihoods ruined by animal rights terrorists and feel that the Government and particularly the Home Office is not taking adequate action to protect them?"
Following the Prime Minister's response, Mr Djanogly said:
"The fact remains that despite the many letters and requests for meetings I have sent to the Home Secretary, not one of my letters has been answered by him and not one request for a meeting has been granted. This is in direct contrast with his predecessor, Jack Straw MP, who both answered my letters and saw me personally to discuss this vital issue for my constituents and British scientific research.
Only last week, Huntingdon Life Sciences contacted me and they confirmed that although they have received support from Lord Sainsbury at the Department of Trade and Industry, they have seen no encouragement by the Home Secretary, despite industry and personal requests. HLS consider that Mr Blunkett's personal involvement would be an encouragement to the law enforcement agencies for positive and robust action and I full support that position."