Pro-hunt protesters pelt Hain with eggs

Peter Hain, the Leader of the House of Commons, has been pelted with eggs by pro-hunt protesters while speaking in Oxford.

Police provided an escort for Mr Hain back to the railway station, but the angry mob continued to heckle him.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threatening behaviour and a 25-year-old man on suspicion of threatening behaviour and assault.

Richard Jackson, a former Oxford student who hunts locally, said demonstrators had infiltrated the meeting through student contacts at Balliol College.

He added: "This chap, who was dressed quite smartly, ran up to him, got out an egg and hit him squarely on the nose." Mr Hain was unable to continue his speech, said Mr Jackson.

The incident came after peers voted for licensed hunting instead of a ban. The vote put the House of Lords on a collision course with MPs, who may use the Parliament Act to force a ban.

Police said around 40 protesters met Mr Hain on arrival in Oxford and two of them had managed to duck security at the meeting.

"If hunters wish to persuade people of their case, it should be by the force of their arguments, not by physical violence and thuggery," said Mr Hain.