From Howl magazine:
HSBC, Britain's largest bank, is set to insure dozens of hunts against the cost of a court case if they are prosecuted for illigally hunting foxes. The bank has said that they will pay legal fees for hunt employees even if they are found guilty.
According to figures collected by the League Against Cruel Sports, the bank is insuring as many as 125 hunts, an arrangement the League claims gives those taking part confidence that they can break the law without suffering financial hardship. The insurance was organised through the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), which represents 174 packs of foxhounds in England and Wales and a further 10 in Scotland.
Under the hunting ban introduced in February 2005, prosecutions can be brought either against hunts as organisations or as individuals such as hunt masters and employees, riders who take part in illegal hunts or landowners who allow them.
John Cooper, a barrister and chairman of ther League since 1995, said he was 'shocked' at HSBC's actions, and that he would be writing to the bank's chief executive to query the arrangement. Cooper said: 'Millions of people bank with HSBC. I'm sure that they do not know that the bank is using their money to help bail out criminals. What next? Insurance for burglers and shoplifters?'
Please contact HSBC to voice your disgust at their support for criminal activity. Contact your local branch, call them on 0800 881 155 or fill in the complaint form on their website:
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/popups/how...dNbo:11j71s4j3
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Bookmarks