Shadow countryside minister James Gray, MP for Wiltshire North, was invited by the League to see how it was treating deer at a sanctuary on Exmoor.

It followed claims of maltreatment made by an ex-deer stalker employed by the League.

But the discussions descended into argument, with the MP storming off after his entourage was refused permission to walk out onto the sanctuary.

Mr Gray said: "It has not been a waste of time. I have learnt an awful lot."

Paul Tillsley of the League added: "I am very disappointed... He came to make a political point."