THE HUNT SABOTEURS ON TRAIL HUNTING DECEIT AND ‘THE POSH’ WHO WANT TO GO ON KILLING FOXES

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter He Astor Be Kidding: Top Fox Hunters Try To Hoodwink Government As reported in The Times hunt leaders, including British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) Chair, father-in-law to ex-PM David Cameron, Viscount Astor, are plotting to hoodwink the government into making small changes to the types of scent used by so-called ‘trail’ hunts enabling ministers to ‘claim victory’ without introducing the comprehensive legislation that would ensure an end to hunting wildlife with dogs. The 4th Viscount William Waldorf Astor III, current chair of the BHSA The plot formed part of the leaked minutes from a BHSA board meeting held in May 2026, in the prestigious Cavalry and Guards Club, a private members club in Mayfair, London. Just exactly the sort of distinguished setting you’d expect from those occupying the upper echelons of the hunting establishment, picture the scene - leather armchairs, military portraits adorning the walls and silver service dining rooms - discussing how to circumvent an incoming ban on hunting. The ‘garden room’ at the Cavalry and Guards private members club Hunters like to portray themselves as ordinary country folk, the reality is played out in private members’ clubs, where representatives of bloodsports groups, assembling beneath chandeliers in one of London’s most exclusive clubs are, despite massive public opposition, plotting ways to shape laws to suit them, assisted of course by a highly expensive consultancy, of the sort that are paid to change public opinion in favour of those with deep pockets. The BHSA itself emerged out of the ashes of the discredited Hunting Office following the fallout from the leaked Hunting Office webinars in 2020. As we warned at the time, simply taking ‘hunting’ out of the name will do nothing to change the culture of “dishonesty and evasion” and resistance to reform, the old guard became the new guard - same old, same old, and they want to repeat history, only this time it is drag hunting they will claim to be doing. The major flaw in this, is of course the fact the British public is overwhelmingly in support of a stronger ban, in rural areas, as much as towns and cities. Astor, of course in his ivory tower would not necessarily understand this, when he isn’t frequenting London’s exclusive clubs, he can of course be found on the hunting field with his home pack the Old Berks Hunt. Astor when not in his ivory tower, or private members clubs can be found hunting foxes at his home pack, the Old Berks. Photo: Bristol Hunt Sabs Those that have been following our news will know that the Old Berks is also home to two of the most sadistic hunters that have come to light in recent years; Oliver Thompson and Rob Shearring. The BHSA has no qualms in hunts employing individuals convicted of grotesque animal cruelty within hunt management and staff - Shearing is a current master of the OB, and it is reported that Thompson is returning as amateur whipper-in for the 2026/7 season. Reputationally ‘trail’ hunting is already at gutter level, and soon it will be consigned to history’s sewer. Thompson (centre) digging a fox out as Shearring (left) blocks an escape with a spade and his boot. And now they appear intent on dragging drag hunting into the stench with them. We have already raised concerns that hunts will simply reinvent themselves as drag hunts, if the government fails to address this loophole, and how the Countryside Alliance have already indicated this is what they will use to continue to operate as they have always done. Its Director of Hunting, Polly Portwin, recently stated: “We will find a way, we’ve had to find a way and we’re going to have to adapt”. The warning signs are already there. Two fox hunts, including the Crawley & Horsham Hunt – a hunt with multiple Hunting Act convictions - have already transferred their allegiance to the Masters of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association (MDBA). Whilst the MDBA is predominantly a bloodhound (Clean Boot) association, drag hunts are also governed by this organisation, and before those two fox hunt arrivals, only five drag hunts were registered with the MDBA. When dozens, if not hundreds, more fox, stag or hare hunts make the same move, the organisation will be overwhelmed and transformed into the old BHSA almost overnight. The Crawley & Horsham Hunt have multiple convictions for Hunting Act offences as well as violence and thuggery. They have now switched to the MDBA, despite their former huntsman Richard Gurney coaching others in lawbreaking during the infamous Hunting Office Webinars. If Astor’s delusions ever see light of day, rather than “trail” hunts converting to drag hunting, drag hunting will simply be reshaped to accommodate fox hunting. Drag hunting as it was will simply cease to exist. The master-plot involves the government falling for the sly offer to “start the process of conversion [of scent] next season so that, by season 2028, we would not be using any animal-based scent or lifting of laid trails, therefore, in effect, drag hunting”. Now aside from the obvious staggering entitlement of dictating government timetables, this is wholly reliant on the government accepting this offer instead of legislation. So, if the entire plan depends upon ministers accepting voluntary changes, what is in it for the government? Apparently ministers get to “save face” by appearing to bring an end to hunting without actually legislating its demise, and in return, Astor offers some kind of trial period, that hunting is given the opportunity to “change its ways”, and if they fail to convince ministers, only then a bill could be considered, but he goes on to state that by then this would of course conveniently be close to the “next general election”. In other words, drag hunting will be reshaped, not only to accommodate fox hunting, but to actively act as some kind of waiting room for repeal of hunting laws. Preserve the hunt, kennels, staff, and land for hunting and of course preserve the institutional management of fox hunting as long as possible, keep hunting wildlife, in the hope of a far-right victory in the polls. In other words, playing for time. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch courting the hunting vote with notorious hunt thug Ollie Dale of the Heythrop Hunt by supporting a hunt fundraiser, the Heythrop Point-2-Point. The plan to retain the infrastructure of fox hunting, in the hope that they can get in a Reform or even a Tory government to repeal any legislation - both leaders of Reform Ltd and the Conservative Party, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch respectively, are in favour of hunting with dogs, with Farage going further and suggesting a repeal of the original 2004 Hunting Act maybe on the cards. Nigel Farage, a long term supporter of fox hunting, states he would even repeal the original Hunting Act, pictured Boxing Day 2025 at Chiddington Castle with the Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent Hunt. Of course, when the time comes and they seriously have to campaign for an election they’ll likely change their tune once they realise that hunting wildlife with dogs remains deeply unpopular with the British public. Agitators like Farage may well find it easy to signal support for hunts when speaking to sympathetic audiences but mounting an election challenge with sadistic ritualised animal cruelty on the agenda isn’t the vote winner some might think it is. The infamous Hunting Office Webinars, Hunting’s leaders - including former senior police officers and members of the House of Lords - coaching huntmasters and huntsmen on how to hunt foxes and get away with it. The Government should, of course, bear in mind that hunting's leadership is neither short of money nor short of influence. When strategy meetings are being held in exclusive Mayfair clubs and supported by expensive professional consultants, ministers should assume that every possible loophole, exemption and smokescreen will be identified and pushed for. The lessons from the last twenty years are obvious; if a loophole exists, hunts will drive a horsebox through it. Parliament should write the law on the assumption that every promise, assurance and undertaking will be tested to destruction - just like hunts said they would do, and did do with the original ban. That is why we are still here today. Any new ban must therefore be watertight, leaving no room for reinterpretation, and certainly no “voluntary” agreements - only the terminally gullible would still take these shameless liars at their word. Join the Hunt Saboteurs Association! Support our vital work by becoming a member. Join The HSA Spread the word! 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