Hunters force minister to cancel again

Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael pulled out of an official visit today as 200 protesters gathered to fight the ban on foxhunting and hare coursing.

Mr Michael was due to launch the Friends of the Jurassic Coast organisation in Weymouth, Dorset, but said he was advised by police to cancel. He had been due to take the Waverley paddle steamer today from Weymouth to Swanage for the World Heritage Coast Trust's launch.

It is the

second engagement he has been forced to pull out of in recent days. He missed the Right to Roam celebrations at the weekend to avoid a confrontation with pro-hunt campaigners.

Mr Michael said: "It is not part of my purpose to allow the launch of this important trust to be hijacked by pro-hunting

protesters just by my presence. I hope that those attending the event will give it enormous support."

But Will Templer from the Countryside Alliance warned ministers could expect to be hounded in the countryside. "We will not let them get away with this, ever," he said.