London- The British Prime Minister has been strongly criticised after he ignored the pleas of animal rights activists not to attend the controversial Palio horse race in Siena, Italy.
Downing Street defended Mr Blair's decision to attend the event as a purely personal one. But last night Mr Blair was strongly criticised by the World Society for the Protection of Animals. A spokesman, Mr Jonathan Owen, said: "For a party that supposedly has animal welfare among its priorities, it is quite an unfortunate move, because rightly or wrongly the fact that he has attended such an event will be seen as endorsing it."
The Palio dates back to the 14th century and is a source of intense local pride.