Protest scuppers visit

Noisy campaigners gathered at the Pleasure Pier to confront the MP, who had been invited on a cruise from the resort along the Dorset coast.

He was due to join guests aboard the paddle steamer Waverley to publicise the World Heritage Coast Trust, a charity aiming to raise funds for coastline maintenance and access, but decided to withdraw after consulting police.

Protesters from all over the South West, including members of the Cattistock Hunt caught up in last week's violent clashes outside the Houses of Parliament, turned out with banners and placards to greet the minister.

Last week Mr Michael steered the Government's anti-hunting bill through the House of Commons.

Dorset police drafted more than 20 officers to keep order at the demonstration, which was organised by the rural action group the Countryside Alliance.

But protesters' hopes of speaking to Mr Michael were dashed following a last-minute change of plan which saw the minister make an early morning visit to Durdle Door instead.

Mr Michael accused pro-hunt campaigners of hijacking the launch.

He said: "On police advice about the difficulty of policing an event which included a vessel at the quayside and at sea, I decided to withdraw from that part of the launch.

"It is not part of my purpose to allow the launch of this important trust to be hijacked by pro-hunting protesters just by my presence."

South Dorset MP Jim Knight accompanied the minister to Dorset.

Mr Knight said: "The plan was for him to come to Weymouth but once it became clear that the boat wasn't running we went to Durdle Door.

"Clearly there are some issues here and what Mr Michael did not want was to create a big problem for the police."

Strong winds forced the operators of Waverley to remain in harbour.

Two boats with protesters aboard had been planning to protest at sea and circled near the Pleasure Pier, which had been cordoned off by police.

Campaigners ashore vowed to pursue Mr Michael and other ministers 'for ever', claiming he had been scared off from Weymouth.

The Countryside Alliance's director for Wessex, Will Templer, said: "Every time Mr Michael or a minister makes an appearance in the country we will be there protesting.

"The Government used emergency powers to get the anti-hunt legislation through parliament.

"People are very angry and frustrated about the way they have been treated and this is going to go on for ever."

Retired doctor Peter Oliver, 75, from Milton Abbas, said: "I think Alun Michael was scared off today.

"We are here to protect civil rights and liberties - he will not be able to go into the countryside without being confronted about this issue.

"An enquiry clearly stated hunting was the best way of culling foxes - any other way is abhorrent."

Gamekeeper Lee Redfern, who works on the Melbury Estate, said he was not a hunt supporter but wanted to show his support.

He said: "It is a question of liberty and what the Government is doing to these people is wrong.

"Ministers quite happily took us into a war many thought was illegal, yet want to ban a historic country pursuit."

COAST TRUST LAUNCH GOES AHEAD ABOARD PADDLE STEAMER

A TRUST hoping to raise money for Dorset's World Heritage Coast was launched in Weymouth - despite a no-show by a government minister and stormy weather.

Organisers of the new World Heritage Coast Trust went ahead with a ceremony on the historic paddle steamer Waverley, currently in the resort on a three-week visit.

They had invited rural affairs minister Alun Michael to join nearly 100 guests on a cruise to Swanage.

But the MP was forced to pull out after hunt protesters pledged to confront him at the Pleasure Pier, while rough seas kept the steamer in harbour.

Mr Michael marked the launch instead at a private ceremony near Durdle Door with South Dorset MP Jim Knight and trust chairman James Weld.

The minister said: "I have fulfilled my promise to Jim Knight to show my support for the World Heritage Site and the launch of this important new trust."I would have enjoyed a voyage along one of the most interesting and beautiful parts of the coastline which I have visited in the past.

"I hope that those attending the event will give it huge support."

James Weld, whose family owns 12,000 acres in South Dorset including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, said he had been disappointed Mr Michael had not come to Weymouth.

He said: "This is a countryside issue, and therefore it is a shame we have not had a formal launch with the minister.

"The trust will help people understand and value the site, and assist in the development of new information centres."

Mr Weld added that as a hunt supporter he had been between a rock and a hard place in dealing with the minister.

He said: "Mr Michael and I agreed not to discuss the subject - it was not the time or the place."

Professor Denys Brunsden, whose efforts to get the coast recognised by Unesco earned him an OBE this year, is also a trustee.

He said the trust would help improve access to the 95 miles of coastline - currently England's only natural World Heritage Site - and educate generations of people.

For more information about joining the trust write to: The Membership Secretary, The World Heritage Coast Trust, Unity Chambers, 34 High East Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1HA.