News

Pro-Test welcomes Government action to combat extremism

On 13 February 2009, Mel Broughton of animal rights group, SPEAK, was convicted of conspiracy to commit arson at Oxford Crown Court, and was sentenced to10 years. This comes 3 and a half weeks after the sentencing of 7 extremists from Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) were convicted in Winchester Crown Court. SHAC’s extremists were received a total of 50 years between them for conspiracy to blackmail. These convictions reinforce the view that the British Government will not tolerate groups who go beyond democratic (and lawful) channels to spread their message. It shows that intimidation, vandalism, and harassment will not be accepted as a means of imposing their minority view points on society.

Animal research has been crucial in the development of modern medicine such as new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which is being offered to teenage girls around Britain to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. For many years animal rights extremism prevented free and fair debate on animal research, preventing the public from understanding the crucial links between animal research and medical developments.

Pro-Test spokesman, Tom Holder said:
“The conviction of SPEAK leader, Mel Broughton, is a victory of democratic process over extremism. With the recent success of several highs profile prosecutions of animal rights extremists, we hope that debate can now move towards the important issue of why animals are necessary in medical research. For most people, the issue of animal welfare has always been more important than animal rights, and with most extremists now in jail, research institutions, such as Oxford University, can move forward unhindered in their efforts to set a new gold standard in animal welfare.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Contact Pro-Test Press Office
E-mail: media@pro-test.org.uk
Phone: Tom Holder, 07802 482994 or James Burgess, 07854 677227
Web: http://www.pro-test.org.uk