THE Duke of Westminster is to host a rally which will encourage hunt supporters to break the law.
The Countryside Alliance, which will gather on the Eaton estate aerodrome next month, is gearing up for a fight in case the Government decides to push through Parliament a complete ban on hunting.
People from the hunting community and others who support the freedom to hunt will have the opportunity to sign the Hunting Declaration on what has been dubbed D-day, or Declaration Day.
Signing the declaration commits them to breaking the law by hunting if a ban is imposed and then submitting themselves to the legal consequences.
While the Duke is not a follower of the hunt, he is a keen game shooter and may fear that his passion could be the next for the chop.
His daughter, Lady Tamara, has been seen out hunting in Cheshire and his sister, Lady Jane, is also a keen huntswoman.
Up to 1,000 hunt followers from Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside and North Wales are expected to gather at the event on November 1 - in place of the traditional first hunt meeting of the season.
The rally is one of 12 being held at locations across England and Wales. Foxhounds, lurchers, greyhounds, beagles, mink hounds, terriers and other hunting and working dogs will all be present.
Countryside Alliance spokesman for the North West, Tom Fell said: 'The mass meets on Declaration Day will give individuals the opportunity to make clear their intention to take part in peaceful but committed civil disobedience in the event of a ban on hunting being imposed. This nationwide show of strength and unity will send a clear message that we will not accept unjust law.
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