Ruth Jones has been bolstered by celebrity support in the campaign to ban hunting trophies from being imported to the UK.

Just two weeks after being sworn in as the first ever MP for Newport West and Islwyn, Mrs Jones hosted an event in Parliament with cross-party backing and appearances from the likes of Dame Joanna Lumley, Peter Egan and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The Conservatives pledged to ban the import of endangered animal trophies in 2019, describing animal welfare as one of the “hallmarks of a civilised society”.

But, as was the case with so many important issues, the Conservatives kicked the issue into the long grass or took their eye entirely off the ball.

Since 2019, the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting estimates around 700 endangered animals have been killed by British hunters abroad.

As Labour’s shadow animal welfare minister before the General Election, Mrs Jones scrutinised the Tory government’s record on a whole host of animal issues including puppy smuggling and illegal breeding.

Now, she is urging her colleagues in the UK Labour government to at long last deliver a ban on hunting trophy imports to the UK.

“It was a privilege to host the reception in Parliament and see so much support, right across the political spectrum, for a ban,” said Mrs Jones.

“These so-called trophies are a prize for cruelty and nothing else and it’s important Britain plays its part to stamp it out.

“On 4 July, people across the country voted for change and I know our Labour government won’t leave animals behind.”