The Queen should quit the RSPCA

FOR many years, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has been one of Britain’s most respected and loved national institutions.

Founded by (among others) the great anti- slave trade campaigner William Wilberforce, it reflected the basic decency of the British people and our innate love of animals.

But over the past two decades, the charity seems to have changed from a revered organisation that cares for animals into a politically motivated campaigning outfit which spends too much time targeting human beings.

Yesterday, details emerged of the heartless way in which the RSPCA has been raising its funds. Unforgivably, it preys on people whose relatives have recently died. In one horrifying case, a woman was sent a letter by the RSPCA, asking if her father was dead yet.

For its part, the RSPCA claims the letter was respectful and sent some months before the man died.

Even so, such appalling behaviour is consistent with previous conduct by the RSPCA, which once pursued a retired Army officer who had dementia, making dozens of requests for cash each year, despite being asked to desist.

The RSPCA has the privilege of operating under Royal Charter (normally granted to only institutions with a record of exemplary conduct) and its inspectors have special legal status and certain statutory powers.

These powers, I believe, are being abused.

It’s painful to say this about an organisation that has achieved so much good over the best part of two centuries, but the RSPCA is at risk of becoming an out- of- control group of political activists.

Two years ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury sensibly declined an invitation to become a vice-patron of the charity.

I suggest that the Queen follows his example and steps down as patron.