GIVEN that Mike Pryce's sympathies have long appeared to lie with the pro-hunting lobby, the tone of his piece of Thursday, September 30 was to be expected.

Sadly, there were two particular points that seemed not to merit the even-handed approach usually to be found in the Evening News.

First, the Metropolitan Police were implicitly criticised for their approach at the previous demonstration in Parliament Square.

Anyone viewing the coverage would have seen deliberate and violent attempts being made to breach the security barriers.

The barriers had first been put under pressure either by an abject failure of the Countryside Alliance stewards to prevent a surge against them or by an element in their ranks determined on confrontation.

Second, no mention was made of the dumping of dead livestock in Brighton, perhaps so as not to spoil the cosy tone.

This act - involving a hunt servant from the Isle of Wight - presumably was to emphasise the part currently played by hunts in the removal of fallen stock from farms. The farming industry has for many years made use of this "free" disposal service.

Would not other industrialists be justified in asking why farmers should not pay for the sort of service for which other sectors have long been covering the cost?

A REECE,

Worcester.

Mike Pryce has fairly reported the hunting issue for the Evening News - Editor.