Pro-hunt MP Ann Winterton has been sacked from the Parliamentary Conservative Party after publicly joking about the deaths of the Chinese cocklers who drowned at Morecambe Bay and refusing to apologise. The MP for Congleton in Cheshire not so long ago accused the Government of "breathtaking arrogance and insensitivity" now she stands accused of arrogance, insensitivity and racism.

It is the second time that Mrs Winterton, 62, has found herself in trouble over racist remarks. Two years ago, she was sacked as shadow rural affairs minister after she joked about Asians being "10 a penny" during a speech at a rugby club dinner in her constituency.

Mrs Winterton was joint master of the South Staffordshire Hunt, and served for five seasons as their field master as well as belonging to the Masters of Foxhounds Association. She still occasionally goes out with the Forest and District Beagles in Cheshire.