Seven years of wrangling ends in chaos

Today's farcical scenes at the Commons came despite seven years of detailed planning and hundreds of hours of debate at Westminster.

Labour's manifesto in May 1997 promised "a free vote in Parliament on whether hunting with hounds should be banned".

A backbench Bill introduced that November won massive support in the Commons but was withdrawn because disruptive tactics by peers were putting other legislation under threat.

Since then the Government has devoted years to studying proposals for compromises and examining the legal position. Tony Blair also set up the Burns Commission to study the economic effects of a ban and how best to support communities.

It is no secret that Mr Blair privately opposes an outright ban. But he gave such cast iron promises to backbenchers before vital votes on the Gulf war and controversial policies where he needed their support, that he had no choice but to let them have their way.

However, today's amendment, calling for a two-year delay, had not been explained to MPs in advance and many genuinely suspected Mr Blair was trying to sabotage the ban altogether.