Hunters are defiant about legal ban (From Warrington Guardian)

Hunters are defiant about legal ban

POLITICIANS who banned foxhunting were branded bigots on Saturday as huntsmen gathered in their first show of solidarity since their sport was outlawed.

Joint master Peter Heaton's rousing speech was met with roars of approval from the hundreds who turned out to support the Cheshire Forest Hunt.

He said: "You have shown your disapproval of the politicians' latest attempt at unnecessary interference in people's lives.

"It is a useless and worthless piece of legislation that will not improve the lives of any hardworking families in this country."

Mr Heaton said: "It was passed by bigoted politicians in an unconstitutional way."

One spectator likened Mr Heaton's speech to Shakespeare as the crowd cheered the hunters.

The Cheshire Forest Hunt met along with 250 other hunts throughout Britain in a show of defiance to Tony Blair and the Labour Government.

It was less than two days after the law was introduced, but there appeared to be no police in Peover on Saturday to enforce it.

Despite the lack of officers - and anti-hunt protesters - Mr Heaton said huntsmen would stick to the rules.

He said: "The police have been put in an impossible position, but we must do all we can to respect the law of this land."

No foxes were killed during Saturday's hunt.

Despite the hunters' spirited bravado, John Rolls, the RSPCA's director of animal welfare promotion, said their hobby was finished.

He said: "The pro-hunt Countryside Alliance has lost its argument with the public, with Parliament and in the courts.

"It should now advise its members that they too will lose their argument with the police and the RSPCA if offences under the Hunting Act are committed from now on."

The Cheshire Forest Hunt intends to complete the final few meets of its season.

Legal challenges against the Government, which needed the little-used Parliament Act to force through its hunting ban, will continue.

Mr Heaton urged the crowd to vote Conservative at this year's General Election. Tories have promised to repeal the law.