'Builder disguise' for hunt demo

Supporters held a pro-hunting demonstration outside the court

Pro-hunting campaigners who stormed the House of Commons disguised themselves as builders to bypass security, Bow Street Magistrates' Court has heard.

Eight protesters, including the son of rock star Bryan Ferry, were let through a police cordon after claiming to be involved in ongoing renovation work.

The defendants deny a public order offence that alleges their behaviour caused "harassment, alarm or distress".

The court was told Otis Ferry, 22, was the "prime organiser" behind the stunt.

It was alleged a "substantial degree" of planning had gone into the protest which took place as MPs debated the future of hunting.

Mr Ferry, who purchased the builders' outfits, had undertaken a "dry run" before the protest in which he got close to the chamber, prosecutor Simon Clements said at the start of the case.

He also composed a detailed map of the Commons and forged an invitation from a fictitious committee.

Protest T-shirts

The incident took place as up to 15,000 pro-hunting campaigners demonstrated outside the House of Commons on 15 September last year.

It was their view that conventional protest... would have no effect on the government Prosecutor Simon Clements

The defendants discarded their disguises as they moved through the Commons to reveal T-shirts featuring an image of Tony Blair and a protest message, the court was told.

"It was their view that conventional protest, such as was going on outside in Parliament Square at the time, would have no effect on the government," Mr Clements said.

The prosecutor said three of the defendants were stopped by doorkeepers before they were able to enter the Chamber, but the other five managed to make their way in.

"They had made their point by getting that far," Mr Clements told the court. "If they had stopped at that point, they would have succeeded in making their protest and not committed a criminal offence."

Deputy speaker Sylvia Heal, who was presiding over the debate when the men burst in, told the court she had not feared for her own safety but was concerned for MPs and security staff.

She said she had not been sure that this "particular incident was not perhaps a distraction for something else that might follow".

Polo match

Family and supporters of the protesters filled the public gallery of the court and also staged a demonstration outside the building.

Defendant Luke Tomlinson, 28, also asked to be excused from attending court on Wednesday as he is due to play polo for the England team.

Mr Tomlinson, a professional player who is also a close friend of princes William and Harry, was granted permission to do so by District Judge Timothy Workman.

The other protesters on trial are: David Redvers, 34, a horse breeder, from Hartpury, Gloucestershire; John Holliday, 37, a huntsman from Ledbury, Herefordshire; Robert Thame, 34, who plays polo with Prince Charles in Team Highgrove; auctioneer Andrew Elliot, 42, from Bromesberrow, near Ledbury; surveyor Richard Wakeham, 34, from York, and former royal chef Nicholas Wood, 41, from Lacock, Wiltshire.