Hunt ban brings violence

Hunting supporters and saboteurs were involved in violent clashes as the ban on the sport came into force.

The clashes came as half a million people from 268 hunts across the country are said to be planning to test the law. Police forces are braced for more angry clashes tomorrow between foxhunt supporters and opponents.

A woman anti-hunt protester was left covered in blood after clashes when saboteurs tried to disrupt the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray hunt near Petworth in Sussex. Another activist was left with broken jaw.

There were violent scenes last night as some 50 supporters of the Beaufort Hunt jostled anti-hunting Labour MP Dan Norris and pelted him with eggs and cream. He had gone to the Gloucestershire village of Badminton to take part in a live TV debate on the issue, but was forced to flee to his car.

At the head of the plans for a show of defiance is Captain Ian Farquhar, a close friend of Prince Charles and joint master of the Beaufort, with which Charles rides regularly. He urged supporters: "Bring your wives, girlfriends, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents and any family member you can think of. Bring all your friends, drag people out of hospital if necessary, bring them in wheelchairs, on trolleys, put them on a cart. Bring every person you know."

As around 200 riders and 200 foot followers gathered near Charles's Highgrove home yesterday, Capt Farquhar continued: "This will not be the last meet, there will be three next week."

Labour's Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey is to deliver a speech in support of hunting with hounds before tomorrow's first meeting of the Beaufort following the ban, which came into force at midnight.