Rare UK seabirds put at risk by ‘alarming loophole’, say campaigners

Ministers accused of giving up' on birds as they explore exemptions from duty to protect the animals

The government has given itself an alarming loophole" to avoid protecting seabirds including puffins and gannets, a leaked document shows.

Campaigners have accused ministers of giving up" on the UK's seabirds as they plan to apply for an exemption to a legal duty to protect the rare species.