The BBC should treasure Chris Packham, not sack him

The Countryside Alliance claims the Springwatch host has an 'extreme agenda', but we should welcome a presenter who isn't afraid to speak his mind

So Chris Packham finds himself in deep water again over comments he has made in his column in BBC Wildlife magazine. His latest outburst, a broadside against the conservation groups he has worked with all his life including as vice-president of the Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB, is typical of a man who has never toed the line, whether as a conservationist, campaigner or BBC presenter.

What makes his latest outburst different is that the Countryside Alliance, which has long defended shooting and hunting with hounds, has finally come out and called for his sacking. In response to his article on conservation groups sitting on the fence over badger culling, fox hunting and the persecution of hen harriers, it stated "There is no issue with people voicing such opinions, but using the position granted by a public service broadcaster to promote an extreme agenda is a different thing entirely." Privately the Countryside Alliance has long despised him but has been wary about taking him on given his huge popularity. Knowing in the current climate how sensitive the BBC is to any accusation of political campaigning, the alliance has seized its opportunity.