Cecil the lion killing disgusting and horrifying, says UK minister

Environment minister, Rory Stewart, says UK is considering a ban on animal trophy imports but he can see both sides of the argument for legal game hunting

The illegal killing of Cecil the lion by a US trophy hunter was disgusting, horrifying and very sad, according to a UK minister, who said he could see the arguments "on both sides" for legal big game hunting.

Rory Stewart, the environment minister, would not be drawn on whether the UK should ban the import of lion heads, paws and skins, or whether British airlines should follow the actions of three US carriers which this week banned such trophies.