RSPB and RSPCA reported to charity watchdog after Packham's outburst

The RSPCA and RSPB have been reported to the charity watchdog by an MP over comments made by Chris Packham who urged Barclays customers to set themselves on fire.

The RSPCA President and BBC presenter gave a speech earlier this month at the Action for Wildlife Day event in Derbyshire, in which he said that anyone who banked with Barclays should “stick your head in a bucket of fuel and set fire to it”. The comments were made on stage to a small audience, where he stood alongside fellow Wild Justice founders, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery.

Greg Smith, the shadow business minister, reported the RSPCA, as well as the RSPB, of which Mr Packham is vice-president, to the Charity Commission. He wrote to the heads of the individual charities demanding that the groups “consider” his position.

In separate letters addressed to the RSPCA’s Chris Sherwood and the RSPB’s Beccy Speight, he argued Mr Packham’s words were a “deeply damaging contribution to the degradation of public discourse”, particularly in the context of recent riots and disorder.

Mr Smith said that both charities should consider whether Mr Packham is a “fit and proper person” to remain in the roles he holds.

His letters went on to say: “In recent weeks, the use of intemperate and inflammatory language has led directly to grave instances of violent public disorder.

“Had Mr Packham’s comments been made during that time in the context of a debate about immigration, it is likely that he would have been subject to arrest.”

He added that although Mr Packham was not speaking in his capacity as president or vice-president of the animal charities, the organisations should publicly “condemn” the remarks.

After being contacted by The Sunday Telegraph, almost two weeks after the incident, the RSPB distanced itself from the comments made by Packham. It was, however, a formal participant at the Action for Wildlife event.

A spokesman said:

“While he is aligned to our charitable objectives, he also has his own views and opinions on many issues within the conservation sector and beyond, some of which, we as a charity would not necessarily agree with but would not restrict him expressing.”

The RSPCA said it did not “condone” Packham’s comments, but that he was a “much-loved and a well-respected voice for all animals”.

A spokesman said:

“We are proud to have him as our president. Chris is passionate about changing the world but words are important, and we don’t condone the comments he made at the Action for Wildlife event.

“While we don’t always agree on everything, we share his desire to create a better world for all animals.”

David Bean, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, said:

“Mr Packham’s most recent comments are the latest in an escalating series of bizarre histrionics that he has shown no willingness to control.

“The charities that have closely associated with him ought to consider carefully how many lines they can stand by and watch him cross. If they want to avoid the public concluding that they approve of his behaviour, silence is untenable.”

The campaigner’s appearance at the event was not the first instance of controversy surrounding Packham.

His latest outburst follows years of similarly ill-tempered statements such as his claim that wildlife managers participating in Government-mandated badger culling were “brutalist thugs, liars and frauds”. He has also questioned whether it is ethically acceptable to break the law in protesting against government climate policies.

A spokesman for the Charity Commission said:

“We are aware of potential concerns about comments made by Chris Packham, the president of the RSPCA and vice-president of the RSPB. We are assessing information to determine if there is a role for the commission.”

Packham has, so far, not responded to requests for comment.