BBC clears Packham over ‘bias’

SPRINGWATCH co-host Chris Packham has been cleared of breaching the BBC’s impartiality after branding hunters and shooters ‘the nasty brigade’ – because he’s not a ‘regular’ presenter.

The ruling was condemned as a whitewash by critics. But The Mail on Sunday has learned that the outspoken animal rights campaigner is now banned from certain subjects on the programme to avoid claims of bias.

The BBC Trust claimed naturalist Mr Packham, 55, is not a ‘regular’, but a ‘recurring’ presenter. Former England cricket captain and countryside campaigner Sir Ian Botham said: ‘This decision stinks. The public will not be fooled.’