Eco-warrior Chris Packham has appeared on the latest slow march of Just Stop Oil protesters in London today.
The Springwatch star, 62, was photographed with a cameraman speaking to part of the eco-crowd as nearly 40 fanatics brought rush hour chaos to the capital once again.
The presenter, who was filming a Channel 4 documentary on nonviolent protests, could be overheard saying, “If it’s not a disruptive protest, it’s not going to be in the news.”
His appearance comes after he was shot for taking part in an Extinction Rebellion protest in the capital last month after urging his army of Twitter followers to join the rally outside parliament.
His comments sparked calls for him to be ‘fired’ from the BBC amid allegations he had breached the broadcaster’s strict impartiality rules.
Chris Packham, pictured, has appeared today at the latest march of Just Stop Oil eco-fanatics in London
Just Stop Oil protesters are pictured on Friday holding back traffic in central London at their latest protest in the capital
Chris Packham is pictured on the fourth day of The Big One protest against climate change outside parliament organized by Extinction Rebellion in April 2023
Packham’s followers said the BBC Springwatch co-presenter accused him of “using your celebrity platform to cause chaos and disruption.”
Following his Tweet, the BBC stressed that ‘social media guidance for freelancers is underway’.
It’s not the first time Packham has faced a BBC inquiry over his comments; he previously sparked outrage in 2013 after labeling government officials as “brutalist thugs, liars and con artists” in a series of tweets.
BBC bosses launched an investigation into the reports after a complaint from the Countryside Alliance claimed they breached the company’s impartiality rules.
It found that Packham breached a voluntary BBC code of conduct because the tweets were not politically neutral.
Packham’s support for Extinction Rebellion, initiated by Welshman Roger Hallam who co-founded Just Stop Oil, came under criticism again this week after he was named president of the RSPCA.
The BBC star and the animal welfare charity both came under fire for the move, branding it ‘strange’ and ‘controversial’.
Tim Bonner, CEO of Countryside Alliance, told MailOnline: “This is a strange decision from an organization that has done so much over the past few years to rebuild its reputation.”
He called Packham ‘a controversial figure’ and added: ‘By associating himself with Mr Packham, the RSPCA will alienate many people who play an important role in protecting the welfare of both domestic animals and wildlife.
BBC star Chris Packham, 62, has been appointed as the new president of the RSPCA. But the move has sparked backlash from the head of the Countryside Alliance, who branded the presenter a ‘controversial figure’ and criticized the RSPCA for appointing him to the prestigious role.
“It is disappointing to see the RSPCA slipping backwards after a long journey back to fairness and decency in recent years.”
A spokesperson for the RSPCA told MailOnline: ‘We work with a wide range of individuals and organizations to improve animal welfare. We are very pleased to welcome Chris Packham as President of the RSPCA.
“Chris is much loved and a respected voice for all animals that speaks to a wide range of society.
“Taking the presidential role is a natural next step and we look forward to working more closely with him to create a better world for animals.”
More than 20 Just Stop Oil protesters took to the streets of London this morning to add further misery to commuters.
Armed with orange banners and using a megaphone, they blocked The Strand for about 20 minutes – before police kicked them off the road at 8:30am.
Their protest came after eco-fanatics sparked outrage yesterday by kidnapping three lambs from a royal farm and attacking the Chelsea Flower Show.
Three Just Stop Oil activists vandalized a display garden at the Chelsea Flower Show
A woman muffled the protest by grabbing a garden hose and wetting the three intruders until she was stopped by a guard
They were warned that their stunts, which instilled animal welfare fears and caused costly damage, would destroy any public sympathy they had.
The incidents are the latest in a series involving a paint attack at the World Snooker Championships and an attempt to sabotage the Grand National.
According to Tory veteran Peter Bone, parliament may now have to introduce tougher sentences.
The MP said: ‘When a very, very small minority is ruining other people’s lives, action must be taken. If this continues and the current laws are not strong enough, the government will have to introduce new laws.
“We are not talking about peaceful protest. This completely ruins the lives of the vast majority of people. We just can’t go on like this.’
Yesterday’s chaos began when three Animal Rising activists turned themselves in to Slough Police after announcing they had taken three lambs from Appleton Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Among them was Rose Patterson, 33, who had previously been arrested on suspicion of leading the group’s plot to sabotage the Grand National, as revealed by The Mail on Sunday.
The three activists said they rescued the lambs — named Sammy, Sunny and Sooty — late Wednesday night to save them from slaughter.
The militants and the lambs Sammy, Sunny and Sooty who were snatched from their mothers. 1. The Rebellion Regular: Rose Patterson is a full-time animal rights activist 2. The Property Queen: Sara Foy and 3. Climate Crusader: Rosa Sharkey says she’s been committed to “climate and animal activism” for years
Naomi Goddard (pictured left) was heard screaming, “Humanity is failing. Everything you hold dear is in danger. The flower gardens you cherish. The buildings you love. Our traditions. What good is a garden if you can’t feed yourself?’
After concerns were raised that the animals – whose location is unknown – would become distressed after being separated from their mothers, the group claimed it was not possible to take the ewes with them. They said they “hid” the lambs before turning themselves in.
An hour later, three Just Stop Oil activists vandalized a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Charity coordinator Stephanie Golder, 35, retired landscaper Naomi Goddard, 58, and disability care worker Rosa Hicks, 28, threw orange powder paint from their handbags over the flowers and harsh landscape of the RBC Brewin Dolphin Garden.
Goddard was heard shouting, “Mankind is failing. Everything you hold dear is in danger. The flower gardens you cherish.
“The buildings you love. Our traditions. What good is a garden if you can’t feed yourself?’
A woman muffled the protest by grabbing a garden hose and wetting the three intruders until she was stopped by a guard.
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