New UK Environment Secretary backs fox hunting, selling off forests, and opposes climate change measures

Andrea Leadsom, Conservative:  'Is climate change real?' and 'Is hydraulic fracturing safe?' On those questions I am now completely persuaded,” she told the All Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Gas and Oil. On fox hunting: “I would absolutely commit to holding a vote to repeal the hunting ban. It has not proven to be in the interests of animal welfare whatsoever."

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas described the shutting down of the climate change department as “deeply worrying." “The decision to shut down DECC is a deeply worrying move from Theresa May. Climate change is the biggest challenge we face, and it must not be an afterthought for the Government.” “Dealing with climate change requires a dedicated Minister at the Cabinet table. To throw it into the basement of another Whitehall department looks like a serious backwards step.