Lib Dem springs to the defence of Colchester Zoo

COLCHESTER Liberal Democrat candidate Bob Russell has criticised Basildon South & Thurrock East Labour candidate Angela Smith, who has called for the closure of all Britain’s zoos, despite Colchester Zoo being the biggest single tourist attraction in Essex.

He accused Mrs Smith, a minister in Gordon Brown’s government, of seeking to divert attention from what he described as “Labour’s betrayal” for its failure to ban the use of exotic animals in circuses, even though it has been a Labour Party commitment.

Elephants and lions were still being used in circuses for entertainment, he said.

“Zoos such as Colchester are a haven for for such animals. Indeed, three of the elephants at Colchester Zoo were saved from a life of misery in a circus.”