Countryside Alliance urges BBC to sack Chris Packham in conservation row

Wildlife presenter accused of pursuing 'obsessive crusades' and corporation of printing 'blatant political propaganda'

The Countryside Alliance has called on the BBC to sack the high-profile wildlife presenter and naturalist Chris Packham after he criticised leading conservation groups for sitting on the fence over fox hunting, badger culling and the plight of hen harriers.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the alliance, which lobbies to promote the interests of rural people and communities, said Packham was pursuing "obsessive crusades" and that the BBC was printing "blatant political propaganda".