TOP Tory William Hague has stepped up the charge against the Hunting Act, insisting it is a "bad law" which should be repealed.

The shadow foreign secretary branded the ban on hunting with dogs "deeply prejudiced" and "ridiculously unworkable". In a direct statement of intent for a Conservative administration, he said: "This is a bad law and bad laws should be repealed, not ignored."

The comments, from the man dubbed deputy Tory leader in all but name, appear to go further than the previous party policy to offer time for a free vote.

In April, aides to David Cameron were at pains to insist the policy had not changed and an incoming Conservative government would only make time for the issue to be reconsidered. They stressed the Tory leader was not pushing for the law to be scrapped, but would allow a debate in Parliament, with MPs able to vote how they wished.

The campaign to repeal the Hunting Act 2005 has gained momentum again in recent months, in the wake of failed attempts to bring legal cases against individuals accused of breaking the law.

In 2006, three men from the Devon and Somerset Staghounds were charged with offences under the Act.

But the Crown Prosecution Service eventually admitted there is "no longer a realistic prospect of a conviction".

Concerns have repeatedly been raised about the often-aggressive relationship between hunts and observers who follow trails in an attempt to record criminal behaviour.

Speaking to the Masters of Foxhounds Association, Mr Hague said: "A Conservative government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote and in Government time. This has been our position and it will remain our position."

He went on: "The passage of the Hunting Act revealed that Labour MPs' respect for the views of minorities only extended to those minorities whose views they could readily agree with.

"The result was a piece of legislation so deeply prejudiced and so ridiculously unworkable that its existence weakens and discredits the laws of the land."

He added: "This is a bad law and bad laws should be repealed, not ignored."

His comments have been seized on by hunt supporters.

Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "We are in touching distance of victory in an extraordinary political battle that will go a long way towards winning the war against the animal rights movement and those who use its aims to justify their prejudice, as well as changing forever the relationship between government and the countryside.

"The last furlong is, however, always the hardest and we need to dig deep, redouble our efforts and finish the job."

Despite the enthusiasm of the Conservatives to hold a vote, the Liberal Democrats have ruled out backing the hunts.

Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg was asked by a WMN reader last month if he would repeal the law.

He said: "No we won't... I don't see the circumstances in which it would be a priority for a Liberal Democrat government to reverse that situation."

Labour has recently tried to use the Conservative support for reopening the hunt debate as proof the Tories have not changed.