Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael was accused of running scared last night after he pulled out of a public ramble for fear of confrontation with hunt supporters.

The minister announced he had "reluctantly decided" not to join hundreds of ramblers to mark a new right to roam law following police advice.

His statement came after the Countryside Alliance said it planned to demonstrate on Sunday against this week's parliamentary vote to ban hunting as Mr Michael walked across land opened up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

And Northumberland farmer Richard Dodd, who had planned to be at the protest as a Countryside Alliance steward, last night claimed: "The minister is chicken by pulling out." He said the minister was protecting the rights of ramblers while taking away the right to hunt.

Mr Dodd added: "I am sure most ramblers are very nice people, but giving them the right to roam gives the same rights to the deer poachers I chased off my land the other day, and the people who wander on to your land to pinch your quad bikes.

"I did plan to be at the protest, now I will have to go shopping at Ikea instead. I know where I would rather have been."

The minister has already faced five angry young pro-hunt protesters who stormed the Chamber of the House of Commons on Wednesday, in a major breach of Westminster security.

But Mr Michael said yesterday: "Following advice from the Lancashire and Derbyshire police forces I have reluctantly decided not to join the planned celebrations this weekend to mark the beginning of access to open country." The Countryside Alliance, which staged the rally outside the Commons, has organised a small protest at the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, the first area the minister was due to visit on Sunday, but a larger event was scheduled for what would have been his second venue, in the Peak District's Goyt Valley, where Mr Dodd had intended to protest.

In his statement, Mr Michael added: "According to police intelligence my presence has attracted large numbers of protesters who oppose a ban on hunting and seek to hijack an unrelated event simply to gain publicity for their cause.

"Sunday's landmark ceremonies mark the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work and co-operation by a lot of people from many different organisations, to make the Countryside and Rights of Way Act a reality. It would be deeply regrettable if protesters targeting me individually as a Government minister responsible for a separate piece of legislation detracted in any way from those celebrations or undermined this historic occasion. I wish all those who attend the formal celebrations a wonderful day."

Hunting Debate

Neighbours in the rural North-East remain at odds over the fate of fox-hunting.

For people in close-knit communities like Rothbury, the impending blood-sport ban is such a sensitive issue few would voice their opinions publicly - but hunt supporters tended to be more forthcoming.

Roger Lythe, a retired agricultural advisor in his 50s, said: "I am extremely upset at the way this ban has been brought about, and I think it is an infringement of liberty.

"What's next? Shooting or fishing? Certainly, if there is a demonstration nearer to home, I will be there to support it."

And retired engineer Fred Parnham, 73, said: "I have lived in the countryside all my life and I have seen what a fox can do to lambs. "People talk about it being wrong to kill an animal, yet they say nothing when they get their lamb chops on the dinner table."

But one Rothbury woman in her 40s, who declined to be identified, said she was happy the ban was coming - even though she was a former hunter.

"I don't think it makes much difference to people or the local economy," she said.

"The Government shut down the coal mines and heavy industry, and yet here are these people moaning about fox-hunting as if it's really that big an issue.

"I used to hunt but gave up because of the cruelty."

Another who asked not to be named, said: "Not everyone in the countryside is part of the pro-hunting lobby, or believes that this Government is out to get rural people and urbanise everyone. Hunting is an emotive issue, and there are valid arguments for and against, but I resent people assuming that because I live out here, I must automatically be in favour of bloodsports."

Blunkett calls for security professional

Home Secretary David Blunkett yesterday backed the call for the appointment of a professional director of security for Parliament .

Mr Blunkett, echoing a demand by Commons leader Peter Hain, said a move from medievalism to modernity was needed.

His comments followed fresh embarrassment after a journalist used bogus references to get a job as a waiter in the Houses of Parliament - and smuggled in fake bomb-making equipment.

The security lapse, exposed by The Sun, was revealed two days after pro-hunt supporters invaded the chamber.

Mr Blunkett said: "I'm in charge of security for the nation as a whole and what's happened here undermines confidence in the security service and counter-terrorism branch who, like me, have absolutely no control over the decisions of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. We need to be in the 21st century in tackling the potential for suicide bombers … and that means a director of security for the whole of the Palace of Westminster."

He said The Sun investigation had highlighted how easy it was to get into and work in Westminster.

The Serjeant at Arms Sir Michael Cummins, his ushers and doorkeepers - known as the "men in tights" because of their traditional dress - are currently responsible for security in the Commons.