Tory MP pelted with eggs over forestry sell-off plans

Tory MP Mark Harper has complained of a "baying mob" after he was pelted with eggs as he left a public meeting on government proposals to privatise publicly-owned forests. Harper, who represents the Forest of Dean constituency, which includes England's largest oak forest (above), was forced to leave under police protection ­ and, even then, protesters attacked his police van.

Harper, who has a majority of 11,000 in a seat which was Labour from 1997 until 2005, said the protesters were "bent on violence" at the meeting in Coleford, Gloucestershire on Friday night.

Around 150 people squeezed into the hall for the meeting after queuing for two hours. A further 300 had to remain outside, where they held banners saying: "Let the Forest of Dean always be free."

Harper claimed that nobody had attended the meeting with an open mind, adding: "I have no complaints about that. But it was disappointing there were people outside bent on violence."

The attack on Harper comes as the hugely controversial issue becomes a running sore for the coalition government.

An investigation by the Sunday Times found today that the Forestry Commission has already sold 44 woodland sites after being instructed to raise money by the government. A further 20 sales are awaiting completion. Local people have complained that the sales took place without adequate public consultation ­ and in some instances without even being properly advertised.

Last week a heated debate in the Commons ended with three Tory MPs - and four Lib Dems ­ - voting with Labour against the Coalition plans. Among them was Tory green Zac Goldsmith, while another eight Coalition MPs abstained ­ and several stayed away from the debate altogether.

Many believe this could be David Cameron's "poll tax moment". ·