China Tang attacked for serving shark fin soup

One of London's most fashionable Chinese restaurants has become embroiled in a row over serving shark fin soup.

The Dorchester Hotel's China Tang - run by Hong Kong entrepreneur Sir David Tang - was strongly attacked by film-maker and conservationist Lord Anthony Rufus-Isaacs for offering him the soup.

However the restuarant rejected the complaint saying it had been 'a mistake'. Caroline Taylor, the general manager, said: "We took it off the menu several months ago because of ethical concerns. The waitress made a mistake in offering it."

Shark fin soup has been condemned by animal rights groups and conservationists because of the practice of 'finning' sharks and throwing them back into the sea to bleed to death.

Lord Anthony was reported as saying: "It is outrageous to be serving shark fin when there is a worldwide campaign to outlaw this terrible practice of 'finning' sharks. This is disgusting and in my opinion, not dissimilar to eating warm monkey brains."

He told the Standard: 'Lord Anthony Rufus-Isaacs must think that by virtue of the length of his name prefaced by an honorary title that entitles him to be exceedingly abusive to me and my entire Chiense nation.'

Originally served as a celebration dish on special occasions, the increase in the middle classes in China has led to a rise in demand for shark fins. About 20 species of shark are said to be under threat.

Lord Anthony said that he was inspired to complain after seeing The End of the Line, a film about the depletion of the world's fish resources.

The film also exposed Nobu's policy of keeping bluefin tuna - one of the world's most endangered species - on its menus. It has led to a boycott of the restaurant by celebrity customers including Trudie Styler, Stephen Fry and Elle Macpherson.