Chris Packham removed as patron of bird charity for being ‘too political’

Chris Packham has been removed as patron of bird charity for becoming “too political” and doing no work for the organisation, according to reports.

In addition to campaigning against countryside sports including shooting and hunting, Packham has launched attacks against the government for its policy regarding Net Zero, and even suggested it was time to break the law to force climate action from politicians.

He's also rallied behind controversial eco-protest groups Just Stop Oil, Animal Rising, and Extinction Rebellion and suggested that protesters could soon consider “blowing up an oil refinery”.

Malcolm Robbins, Chairman of Raptor Rescue, has now spoken out about the charity's decision to oust Packham from their books following his recent tirades.

Robbins said: “He was a patron, but we hadn’t heard from him in a long time, he hadn’t done anything for the charity, and we couldn’t contact him. The other reason we decided to remove him was he started to get more and more political in his views and that didn’t sit well with our members either.So, he wasn’t doing anything for us, and his actions were beginning to split the membership. Our members are people who simply love birds on the one hand and on the other side we have working falconers and people from the countryside who support our work.”

Robbins added: “Some people don’t like the political side of his activities and he was becoming a more political person. He has now even started talking about breaking the law. Irrespective of our personal feelings, as a charity there is no way we could support that.”

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “In seeking to remain in the public spotlight, it is clear that Mr Packham is becoming ever more divisive and in so doing is alienating a section of the public. As a result many charities will find their relationship with Mr Packham to be a double-edged sword, with the negatives increasingly outweighing the positives.”

Currently, Packham is the chairman of the RSPCA and vice president of the RSPB, and holds roles at several smaller charities.