Jacob Rees-Mogg refuses to debate why he blocked bill that would have spared elephants from torture

Jacob Rees-Mogg and Commons leader Mark Spencer have refused to take part in a public debate on why they blocked a bill that would have spared elephants from torture in Asia.

The Brexit opportunities minister and Mr Spencer are widely thought to have vetoed planned legislation to ban UK adverts for foreign theme parks where elephants are stabbed, chained and deprived of sleep, food and water to make them comply with orders.

The Animals Abroad Bill, previously agreed in cabinet, would have outlawed adverts by British holiday firms for attractions where the animals are forced on pain of punishment to give rides and perform tricks such as playing football and painting pictures.

The Bill, which would also have banned imports of cruel foie gras, real fur and hunting trophies, was dropped earlier this year because of opposition fromministers who deemed it un-Conservative.

Activists from the Save the Asian Elephants organisation, who were furious at the measure being canned, wrote to the two senior MPs asking them to take part in a debate in their constituencies over the issue and also to go on a fact-finding mission to see how elephants are treated behind the scenes at tourist attractions.