ANIMAL rights activist Barry Horne, now on the 55th day of his hunger strike, has pledged to continue to starve himself unless the Government launches a Royal Commission on animal testing.

Supporters admitted reports that Horne had taken fluids other than water and sugar over the weekend were true - but said he had been forced to stabilise his condition so he could consider the Government's latest proposals.

But after having the details of the Animal Procedures Committee Annual Review read to him, Horne declared on Sunday afternoon that his hunger strike was still on.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said today that Horne's condition was still very serious but stable.

John Chapple, of the Animals Betrayed Coalition (ABC), said initially it had been hoped the review would contain a rethink on animal suffering in vivisection but it had turned out to be a 'purely financial exercise'.

"From the outset Barry was clear about his determination to see this through," said Mr Chapple. "He realises the situation is rather bad but he is prepared to continue until the end."

Activists staged protests around the country this weekend including one outside Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's constituency surgery, in Hull.

And the ABC said the international community was also supporting Horne and demonstrations had taken place in America and Dusseldorf.

Horne, who has twice gone on hunger strike before, is serving an 18-year-sentence at Full Sutton jail, near York. He was convicted of 14 charges of arson, attempted arson and possessing bomb-making equipment and was arrested after detectives saw him planting incendiary devices in Bristol's Broadmead Shopping Centre.

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