Cecil's not died in vain

VICTORY IN TROPHY IMPORTS FIGHT

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON & MARK JEFFERIES

• MPs ban sick hunt souvenirs 
• Celebrities tell of their joy

The legacy of Cecil the lion, who died in 2015 after a US dentist paid £35,000 to shoot him with a crossbow, haunted the Commons as MPs passed the ban on hunting imports.

Cecil’s killing in Zimbabwe led to the Mirror’s campaign for a ban on trophy hunting. As the bill went through, environment minister Trudy Harrison was close to tears as she told MPs: “Dare I say that Cecil the lion has not died in vain.

“We are sending a strong message to the rest of the world that in this country, where we can, we are demonstrating our support for endangered species. We do not accept their body parts being used as so-called trophies to be brought back into this country.”

The Mirror’s campaign for the ban was supported by stars such as Ricky Gervais, Eddie the Eagle, Peter Egan, Vicki Michelle, Ranulph Fiennes and Chris Packham. Last night, Ricky said: “I’m thrilled and relieved. Well done to everyone involved and thank you to the Mirror for their wonderful support.”

A pledge to introduce the ban was included in the Tory election manifesto in 2019, but it faced repeated hurdles.