But countryside campaigners who were protesting at the Government's proposed ban on hunting with dogs, say had they planned a peaceful protest and were only trying to block Mr Hoon's way.

"We are not violent people. We had people of 60 and 70 years old with us, and mothers with toddlers in pushchairs. It was like Dad's Army - we were hardly a fighting force," said leading protestor Sue Ellerington, a farmer from Bishop Burton.

Several dozen countryside protestors gathered last Friday outside Toll Gavel Church, where Mr Hoon was attending a public meeting organised in support of George McManus, Labour's election candidate for Beverley and Holderness.

Scuffles broke out as some of the protestors sat down on the pavement alongside the church, trying to block Mr Hoon's way into the building, and police tried to move them on.

Mrs Ellerington claimed that police officers were 'rather heavy-handed', and said the situation had boiled over because campaigners were angry and upset about the ban, which was threatening people's homes and jobs.

But Mr McManus attacked the incident as disgraceful and called upon the Countryside Alliance, which organised the protest, to condemn the violence.

Mr McManus claimed that both and he and Mr Hoon were physically assaulted before the meeting.

"The challenge to local people is clear. Give in to the hooligans who attempted to prevent the meeting going ahead, or make a stand against those who would destroy our democracy. This is not about the countryside nor is it about hunting, it's about people who choose violence over debate," he said.

Mr McManus went on: "I accept that there are a lot of genuine and decent Countryside Alliance sympathisers. Such violence does their cause no good."

Brandesburton farmer Chris Richardson, joint master of the Holderness Hunt, who was among the protestors, said it had been planned as a peaceful protest, 'but one thing led to another'.

"If any more Labour Ministers come to the East Riding there will be protests, hopefully peaceful ones, but you have to remember that people's livelihoods are at stake and they are angry."

Chief Superintendent Patrick Geenty, divisional police commander for the East Riding, said police officers had acted with 'great restraint', given the circumstances.
Police had been told by the organisers of the meeting and masters of the Holderness Hunt to expect a peaceful demonstration, which was attended by five police officers and an inspector.

"They were suddenly overwhelmed by a crowd of about 70, who seemed to rush from nowhere," he said.

"I think my officers acted with great restraint. If a Minister of State is under threat, the consequences can be severe and these people ought to realise they can't behave like that."

Chief Supt Geenty said no arrests were made, but police would be considering whether further action should be taken.