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| Chris Packham - pictured here at the 2019 Birdfair |
THE feud between ex-cricketer Ian Botham and high-profile naturalist/ broadcaster Chris Packham has bubbled up anew.
The duo have long been at loggerheads because of Packham's campaign to end driven grouse shooting - a pursuit enjoyed by Lord Botham.
Packham believes the field sport leads both to widespread environmental damage and to persecution of raptors by gamekeepers intent on safeguarding grouse chicks until they are old enough to provide quarry.
By contrast, Lord Botham believes gamekeepers deserve credit, not least because they also seek to protect moorland birds such as curlew and golden plover.
In a comment piece in today's Daily Telegraph, Lord Botham writes:
"Mr Packham is a very effective politician dressed up as a presenter.
"His BBC influence allows him to push his anti-countryside agenda, and he has forced farmers and gamekeepers to change how they look after nature.
"His power comes not from being elected but largely from his BBC role. This is wrong."
As of 5pm today, the broadcaster had not responded.
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| Salvo - Lord Botham's article in The Daily Telegraph |
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