BRITAIN’s biggest bank is insuring dozens of hunts against the costs of a court case if they are prosecuted for illegally hunting foxes.

The unusual arrangement means HSBC will pay legal fees associated with hunt employees taken to court for breaking the law, even if they are found guilty.

According to figures collected by the League Against Cruel Sports, the bank is insuring as many as 125 hunts, an arrangement the league claims gives those taking part confidence that they can break the law without suffering excessive financial hardship.

Under the hunting ban introduced in February 2005, prosecutions can be brought either against hunts as organisations or against individuals such as hunt masters and employees, riders who take part in illegal hunts or landowners who allow them.

John Cooper, a barrister and chairman of the league since 1995, said he was “shocked” at HSBC’s actions: he would be writing to the bank’s chief executive to query the arrangement.

Five cases have so far been brought against individuals by the Crown Prosecution Service and in private cases by campaign groups since the ban, but campaigners claim the law has been regularly flouted far more frequently.

The insurance was organised through the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), which represents 174 packs of foxhounds in England and Wales and a further 10 in Scotland.

Cooper said: “Millions of people bank with HSBC. I am sure they do not know that the bank is using their money to help bail out criminals. What next — insurance for burglars and shoplifters?”

Alastair Jackson, director of the MFHA, said: “Hunts can get legal fees insurance from any number of firms. It’s a perfectly normal sort of insurance.” HSBC declined to comment.

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