MPs saw it as an historic day to finally ban hunting with dogs - but just hours into the debate angry protesters exposed an appalling security lapse at the heart of British democracy.

Just days after a Fathers4Justice protester climbed on to the walls of Buckingham Palace, five demonstrators stormed into the House of Commons chamber in protest at a total ban on fox hunting.

MPs stared in shock and although it took just seconds to bring the men under control it left palace officials red-faced at the ease at which they gained entry.

A full-scale investigation was underway last night but experts were already acknowledging it as one of the worst security lapses ever recorded in Parliament.

Commons Leader Peter Hain immediately ordered armed police to protect the rest of the day's proceedings, which saw MPs vote by a majority of 190 in favour of a complete ban on hunting. 356 MPs voted for a total ban with 166 against.

The ban will come into effect on July 31, 2006, after Labour MPs persuaded ministers to cut plans to delay implementation from two years to 18 months.

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael had urged backbenchers to give the industry more time to find alternative activities for dogs and horses, but pressure from veteran anti-hunt MPs ensured a last-minute change of heart - with MPs finally voting 329 to eight in support of the measure.

It will mean hunts across England are prevented from taking part in cubbing or stag hunting and will have to wind up their operations after the 2005/06 season.

MPs began the day in high spirits with North-East Labour politicians declaring September 15 the day their 1997 manifesto promise was finally fulfilled.

However at around 3.25pm, five men broke into the Commons from behind the Speaker's chair to protest at the debate.

Since September 11 and the purple flour bomb attack on Tony Blair, security has been tight in Parliament with contractors, staff and MPs required to wear official passes at all times.

Despite that, up to 10 men were able to walk from the public lobby area, along an internal committee corridor, down a stairwell, across another corridor staffed by police - just yards from Tony Blair's parliamentary office - and into the Commons chamber where doorkeepers grappled five of them to the floor.

Speaker Michael Martin said last night that the men gained entry after forging a letter inviting them to a committee meeting but were then "assisted", perhaps inadvertently, by a passholder towards the Commons chamber.

The region's MPs demanded urgent action. Education minister and South Shields MP David Miliband said: "It does raise a lot of questions about security. We don't want to be over-dramatic but it could have been people who had more intention than a simple protest. A lot of MPs are concerned about this and I think the public should be asking how the House of Commons is now run."

He was backed by Blaydon MP John McWilliam who said: "We really do need to properly look at ourselves rather than take the kind of cosmetic measures taken up to now."

Following the purple flour attack on the Prime Minister earlier this year, a £600,000 temporary security screen was erected to protect MPs.

Those measures will clearly have to be strengthened although ministers don't want to ban the public.

After a marathon all-day debate, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael urged hunts to accept the will of MPs, saying the delay in implementing a ban was an "offer of good sense."

The Bill will be sent to the Lords where government officials will invoke the Parliament Act to prevent the legislation being rejected again.

The Journal: Today's Voice of the North

Page 2: Riot police leave hunt supporters bloodied