Lara Croft Model Lucy Clarkson Bares Skin Over Bearskin Outside Parliament

For immediate release:
May 24, 2010

Contact:
Martin Mallon 0207 357 9229, ext 224; [email protected]

Wearing little more than a painted-on Queen’s Guard uniform and faux-fur cap, former Lara Croft model Lucy Clarkson was on Westminster Bridge today – one day before the opening of Parliament – to protest the use of real bearskins in The Queen’s Guards’ ceremonial caps. The Ministry of Defence, under the previous government, refused to switch to one of the many luxurious synthetics available despite Britons’ overwhelming opposition to the use of fur.

“I’ll gladly bare some of my skin if it will help save bears’ skins”, said Lucy Clarkson. “If the new government is serious about changing Britain for the better, they should stop ordering the maiming and killing of bears for something as frivolous as ceremonial caps – today!”

Clarkson was joined by Victoria Eisermann, who was crowned Europe’s Sexiest Vegetarian by PETA in 2007.

It can take the entire hide of one bear to make just one Queen’s Guard’s cap. Many bears are shot several times before they die, and some escape the hunters only to bleed to death. When mother bears are killed, orphaned cubs are left behind to starve.

PETA’s campaign to end the killing of bears for The Queen’s Guards’ caps has garnered support from a growing list of notables, including Ricky Gervais, Pamela Anderson, Sadie Frost, MP Ann Widdecombe, Mary McCartney, Sir Roger Moore, Jilly Cooper, Twiggy, Amanda Holden, Michael Sheen and Julian Clary.    

For more information, please visit PETA’s Web site UnbearableCruelty.com