THE sight of a dead fox dumped outside the home of former Worcester MP Mike Foster turns the stomach in more ways than one.

Admittedly, it is distressing to see the carcass of a beautiful wild animal, but what is really sickening is that it looks like a gruesome gesture has been delivered to the door of the man who was the driving force behind the hunting ban.

A move to relax the ban was due to be debated in the House of Commons today. But it was been postponed by Prime Minister David Cameron after warnings that the Scottish Nationalists would vote against any changes.

Clearly, fox hunting is a deeply emotive and divisive issue, and supporters on both sides have been guilty of letting their passions triumph over reasoned debate.

It looks very much like this is what has happened here, though there is no way of knowing for sure.

If it was a deliberate act we condemn it unreservedly.

It smacks of intimidation, and has no place in a democratic debate.

The culprits should also have borne in mind that Mr Foster – let alone his family, who must have been distressed by the incident – has not been actively involved in politics since the 2010 general election.

A resolution to the fox hunting issue that is acceptable to both sides seems unlikely. Is it, though, too much to ask all parties to at least behave with dignity?