NEW: Boris Johnson's Rule Of 6 has a controversial exemption - for grouse shooting and similar field sports.
Upto 30 people can gather to hunt with guns cos classed as a licensed outdoor sport.
EXCLUSIVE: Cab Office drafted special meeting on exemption https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/boris-johnson-rule-of-six-hunting-shooting-exemption_uk_5f5f4ad0c5b6b4850803110f?ggg

HuffPost has learned that a special meeting of the govt's Covid-19 Operations sub committee - chaired by Michael Gove - was arranged for Saturday afternoon with just one item on the agenda: exemptions for shooting/hunting.

The meeting was pulled just a few hours beforehand with a message to ministers and officials that the issue would be discussed another time via correspondence. But then the regulations went up just before midnight the following day.

Some insiders think the govt axed the meeting and went ahead anyway cos they feared some ministers could have tried to block the exemption.

Govt sources say that it was the 'hunting/shooting' exemption that held up the entire Rule Of 6 regulations last night.
Hence being published just before midnight, hours after they were expected.

. @tracey_crouch: "Many will find this topsy-turvy prioritisation from govt

“I’ve had queries about choirs, community bands, addiction therapy groups, all of whom would be worthy of an exemption and instead we are scrabbling around prioritising shooting animals. It’s bonkers.”

Labour's @LukePollard: "Across the country, people are struggling to get COVID-19 tests anywhere near their homes.
"But the Conservatives are distracted with trying to exempt the bloodsport passions of their big donors from coronavirus regulations...

"It shows where this government’s priorities really lie.

“It is clear there’s one rule for the cabinet and their mates and another for the rest of us.”

Now @LeagueACS (League Against Cruel Sports) Chris Luffingham says the exemption “condemns many animals to being shot for ‘sport’".

“Lockdown offered animals a respite from the activities of hunters so we think the Government’s move to allow shooting is a backward step.”

UK govt spokesperson defends the exemptions: “We have exempted over thirty types of sport, exercise and physical activity such as football, rugby and other outdoor pursuits

“Outdoor activity is safer from a transmission perspective, and it is often easier to social distance."