Hunting supporters target Widdecombe's Ryedale visit (From Gazette & Herald)

Hunting supporters target Widdecombe's Ryedale visit

OUTSPOKEN Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe met her critics head-on when she was confronted by angry hunt supporters in a Ryedale town.

The MP, who is a prominent opponent of hunting, was greeted with boos and shouts of "you're not welcome here" when she arrived at the Feversham Arms Hotel in Helmsley to promote her third novel.

But rather than dodging the campaigners and their placards, Miss Widdecombe fought her corner when interrogated by Ivan Holmes, a farmer from Old Byland, who is field master with the Bilsdale Hunt.

Miss Widdecombe said the country pursuit was "monstrous", and added: "You don't keep something that's wrong just because it keeps people in jobs; you don't want to keep crime just to keep the police in jobs."

Groom Emma Robinson, 28, of Terrington, shouted back: "You're turning us into criminals."

Afterwards, Mr Holmes said: "I wanted to confront her because she is typical of a person who is not involved in hunting and clearly does not understand the issues. She probably feels very strongly about animal rights and I would respect her views in many ways, but here she seems to be very misguided."

Edward Duke, former chief executive of the Countryside Alliance and one of the founders of the Real Countryside Alliance, said: "Any MP that voted for the Hunting Act, and Ann Widdecombe was particularly vociferous, will be targeted by us.

"If they come into our countryside, we want to let these people know, and particularly her, we don't like them. She said some awful things about us, calling us barbaric and nauseous people. She is not welcome here in this countryside."

Mr Duke warned that a nationwide schedule of demonstrations was planned, in particular for visits by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Rural Affairs Minister Alan Milburn to Leeds in coming weeks.

Among the 40-strong crowd, which staged a noisy but peaceful demonstration, was Ian Kibble, master of Ampleforth Beagles. He said: "I'm here in protest against the injustice of this hunting ban, which Miss Widdecombe approves of. It's based on ignorance, bigotry and prejudice."

Sheila Ferrett and Gill Gresswell, who run the Middleton Hunt Supporters' Club, are seasoned protesters who have travelled up and down the country to campaign.

"She's a character, but I think she's wrong this time. She's shown intolerance and ignorance," said Mrs Ferrett.

About six police officers kept watch on the noisy but peaceful protest.

Speaking afterwards, Miss Widdecombe said she had been warned about the demonstration and had enjoyed her visit to Ryedale.

She added: "I'm used to people demonstrating. It was a perfectly civilised conversation and a peaceful demonstration. I've seen much worse than that.

"As far as I'm concerned, Parliament has voted for a ban, and a ban we shall have."

Updated: 10:33 Wednesday, January 26, 2005