Hunt with links to Downing Street banned from National Trust land (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

The Heythrop Hunt with links to Downing Street banned from National Trust land

10:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Laura Shack

A COTSWOLDS hunt favoured by the prime minister has been banned from riding on National Trust land after members were convicted of illegal hunting.

The Heythrop Hunt, based in Chipping Norton, will not have its licence renewed to hunt on National Trust land in Gloucestershire and over the border in Oxfordshire.

The trust's decision comes after two of the hunt’s members were convicted of illegal fox hunting with hounds last December.

A National Trust spokesman said: "Whilst the illegal activity in this case did not take place on land we own, we consider it to be a serious breach of trust.

"The conviction has given us major cause for concern about how the hunt runs its activities, which is why we will not renew the hunt’s license at the end of March."

The hunt said it had reviewed hunting procedures since the case and was in discussion with the trust.

Prime Minister David Cameron rode with the Heythrop Hunt on several occasions before changes to legislation were made.