BBC bosses are refusing to sanction Chris Packham despite the presenter seeking to justify demonstrations by Just Stop Oil activists outside the homes of MPs. Mr Packham stoked controversy earlier this week when he suggested ‘radical’ groups were entitled to what he called a ‘portfolio of protests’.
His remarks, made during an interview with Times Radio yesterday, came just days after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned extremists against intimidation tactics during a speech in front of Downing Street on Friday.
Mr Packham’s next BBC project is a series exploring ADHD and Dyslexia. Speaking yesterday, he said: “I think that we need a portfolio of protests, basically, because we need a radical flank and Just Stop Oil are seen by many as that radical flank.
“They are the people who in some people’s minds go a step too far. And that might be, you know, standing outside an MP’s house. But the fact is that they are motivated, as I am, by a manifest fear for the health of our future.
“The science tells us we have to act. These people are frightened for my future, for your future, for the future of any children they might have. They need to draw attention to this issue.”
Asked whether it was a legitimate tactic to protest outside the homes of elected officials, he agreed was provided it remained a “peaceful, non-violent demonstration”.
He continued: “If this is a peaceful, non-violent demonstration then we in the UK – for all the laws that have been radically changed in very recent times – have to preserve that right to protest.
“We’ve got a law out there, it needs to be applied equally to everyone.”
Discussing Mr Packham’s remarks on TalkTV, Julia Hartley-Brewer insisted that that intimidating democratically elected MPs “shouldn’t ever be acceptable, no matter the cause” while climate change sceptic Rupert Darwall described it as “clearly an incitement to intimidation”.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood’s home was recently surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters. Speaking yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The defending democracy policing protocol agreed last week said any protests at the home of MPs, councillors and other elected representatives will be considered intimidatory.
“And the police will use their powers under the Criminal Justice and Policing Act to direct protesters away.
“We have seen examples that are clearly unacceptable and it’s right members of the public expect the police to tackle this sort of behaviour and put a stop to it.’
He added: ‘It is clearly irresponsible to encourage people to protest at the home addresses of MPs.” Labour MP Steve McCabe, told GB News: “What a person does in their public life should be open to criticism and interrogation.
“But people are entitled, and particularly their families, to a degree of privacy.” A BBC spokesperson said: “Chris Packham is a freelancer, not a member of staff, and he’s not currently on air. His private activities and views are his own, not the BBC’s.”
