Prince Charles intends to hunt despite ban

PRINCE Charles is preparing to ride into a political storm later this year if, as expected, he insists on continuing to go foxhunting - a move which would put him in direct conflict with the House of Commons, which has voted to ban the sport.

It was reported yesterday that the Prince of Wales intends to ride with hounds when the season starts this winter, despite both the decision of the House of Commons to back a ban and the Queen’s plea for him to stay out of the battle.

The Commons’ ban will not take effect for another two years but hunting has suddenly become a highly-charged political issue, a development which will only escalate as the season starts. The Queen was reported to be concerned that Prince Charles would become involved in that political battle if he continued to hunt, particularly if he hunted with his two sons, William and Harry.

But it is understood that Prince Charles will continue to hunt until the ban is introduced, regardless of the effect this will have on the wider debate.

It also emerged yesterday that the Countryside Alliance is to mount a massive campaign to keep hunting legal, funded by some of the country’s wealthiest people. Individual contributions worth hundreds of thousands of pounds have been pouring into the organisation’s coffers from businessmen, aristocrats and foreigners who are using their riches to ensure the campaign continues.

News of the donations emerged as the Countryside Alliance claimed a moral victory after rural affairs minister Alun Michael pulled out of "right-to-roam" celebrations over the weekend when the group said it would protest at the events. It has now declared the countryside a "no-go area" for Labour ministers, and said it would target them not only in rural areas but in towns and cities too.