He said that the act “has done nothing for animal welfare” and that he shares “the frustration” about the hunting ban. 

The Hunting Act has done nothing for animal welfare. A Conservative Government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government Bill in government time.”

The controversial Hunting Act came into force 10 years ago under Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister.

Mr Cameron’s comments will delight countryside campaigners who have argued that the ban was ill-conceived.

The Prime Minister also used the article to say that he is “proud of our country’s rural identity”.

“It is my firm belief that people should have the freedom to hunt, so I share the frustration that many people feel about the Hunting Act and the way it was brought in by the last government,” he said.