The hunt association event planned for Salisbury Guildhall, which caused controversy among some residents, has now been cancelled.

The Wilton Hunt has postponed its Christmas Party, which was due to take place on Saturday (December 18).

Its website says that this is due to the developing Covid situation, and that the organisation hopes to run something in the New Year.

Salisbury City Council was criticised for "hypocrisy" after it allowed the hunt to hire the public venue, owned by the city council, for its Christmas ball.

Read more: Controversy after Wilton Hunt hires Salisbury Guildhall for event

Residents raised concerns about the hunt's links with Mark Hankinson, who was convicted in October and fined £3,500 for webinars encouraging illegal fox hunting.

He had previous links with the Wilton Hunt, as he had been its Joint Master and Huntsman until 2012.

Read more: Mark Hankinson fined £3,500 for illegal fox hunting webinars

However, the webinars took place in August 2020, and there is no evidence to suggest he took part in illegal activities while based at Wilton.

The Wilton Hunt also refuted any allegations of illegal activity.

A spokesperson said: “The Wilton Hunt conducts lawful trail hunting activities at all times to comply with the Hunting Act.

“We retain evidence of each hunting day - of which we have carried out thousands since traditional hunting with hounds was restricted in 2005 - and we refute any allegations about illegal activity.

“Any organisation or business that supports the Wilton Hunt can be assured that they are not condoning an illegal activity because the hunt complies with the law despite spurious allegations made by those with an anti-hunting agenda.”

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date, as well as signing up for one of our newsletters.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.