Fur flies as Packham is made RSPCA chief

THE RSPCA has been accused of sacrificing ‘reason and respectability’ by appointing Chris Packham as its new president.

The Springwatch presenter said he was ‘thrilled’ to lead the organisation after the announcement was made at the Chelsea Flower Show.

But critics said his appointment could ‘alienate’ supporters, citing controversial remarks including labelling game shooters ‘psychopaths’.

The BBC star was also accused of breaching the corporation’s impartiality rules by encouraging supporters to attend an Extinction rebellion event in London last month. But the corporation ruled that the presenter – like his controversial BBC colleague Gary Lineker – was a freelancer and not subjected to its impartiality rules.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside alliance, said: ‘This is a strange decision from an organisation which has done so much to rebuild its reputation over recent years.

‘By linking itself to Chris Packham, the RSPCA will be alienating many people who have an important role in protecting the welfare of domestic and wild animals. It is disappointing to see the RSPCA slipping backwards after travelling a long road back to reason and respectability in recent years.’

Packham, 62, said: ‘I see this time as one of the most critical times for animals in the last 200 years.

‘During times of social and economic instability, that is when animals can suffer and when charities like the RSPCA are needed more than ever.’

The RSPCA is waiting to hear whether King Charles will become a patron of the charity, following the example of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.