A MOTION to stop badger culling in West Oxfordshire was defeated today at a district council meeting where one member labelled the proposal a ‘townie’ motion.

Peter Handley, of Carterton North West, made the accusation at Labour councillors proposing to ask the Environment Secretary to halt the cull until an independent advisory panel had reviewed the issue.

The motion was presented by Witney Central representative Andrew Coles, who claimed badgers were being made ‘scapegoats’ for tuberculosis in cattle.

But it was voted down by councillors, with just nine voting in favour.

An amendment to the motion asking the district council to write to the government to propose vaccinating badgers also failed.