Animal tester insured

The government is to provide Huntingdon Life Sciences, the chemical, pharmaceutical and toxicological testing centre, with insurance services.

The company, which has endured ongoing attacks from animal-rights activists, recently secured a banking facility from the Department of Trade and Industry.

Trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt told Parliament on Wednesday:

"These actions have been taken to secure Huntingdon Life Sciences from the harm caused by criminal intimidation and assault directed at its employees, including their families and friends, suppliers, customers and other companies."