Mark Pritchard MP says No 10 'threatened' him over animal circus ban

A Conservative MP has claimed he was threatened by No 10 and urged not to hold a debate on a ban on wild animals performing in English circuses.

Mark Pritchard said he was told the prime minister would look upon it "dimly" if he pressed ahead with a Commons debate on the issue.

As Thursday's debate opened, Mr Pritchard used the first few minutes of his speech to draw attention to what he said had been the government's mysterious behaviour over the issue.