A Ukip candidate who is campaigning for animal cruelty laws to be toughened up has praised his party’s stance on the issue.

Ukip candidate for Bradford South and animal rights activist Jason Smith said he welcomed his party’s pledge to triple jail sentences for animal cruelty and torture.

He said: “As a long-time campaigner for animal rights I am very pleased that Ukip has taken on our recommendation for the toughening of sentencing for animal cruelty.”

He said the party was also committed to banning anyone convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals and stamping out the export of live animals for slaughter.