Downing Street slams 'irresponsible' BBC presenter Chris Packham after he defends Just Stop Oil's call for eco-zealots to protest outside MPs' homes

Downing Street today slammed ‘irresponsible’ BBC presenter Chris Packham after he defended Just Stop Oil’s call for eco-zealots to protest outside MPs’ homes.

The environmentalist drew a furious backlash for claiming ‘radical’ groups should be entitled to a ‘portfolio of protests’.

His comments came amid renewed fears over MPs’ safety, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak having used a speech on Friday to warn against increasing intimidation.

As well criticism of the actions of pro-Palestinian protesters in recent weeks, there has also been condemnation of Just Stop Oil’s claim that targeting MPs at their homes is justified.

But Packham, who presents the BBC’s Springwatch programme, this morning refused to condemn the climate group’s stance.

Downing Street slammed ‘irresponsible’ BBC presenter Chris Packham after he defended Just Stop Oil ‘s call for eco-zealots to protest outside MPs’ homes

There has been recent condemnation of Just Stop Oil’s claim that targeting MPs at their homes is justified

Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood recently saw his family’s home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters

The broadcaster told Times Radio: ‘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.’

Packham added that it was not going too far to target MPs’ home addresses if it remained a ‘peaceful, non-violent demonstration’.

‘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,’ he said.

‘We’ve got a law out there, it needs to be applied equally to everyone.’

The comments drew a stinging rebuke from Downing Street, with No10 pointing to the establishment of a new policing protocol to crackdown on the targeting of MPs’ homes.

It followed a recent incident in which Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood saw his family’s home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters.

The PM’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.’

Packham’s comments were also criticised by Labour MP Steve McCabe, who 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.’

He added: ‘Where actions are designed to deliberately intimidate or threaten specific individuals or where they go beyond the bounds of what might be classed as legitimate protests – targeting peoples’ homes, their families, things like that – I don’t think that is acceptable and I don’t think it should be allowed.’

Tory peer and former health minister Lord Bethell said: ‘Chris Packham is totally wrong with his “don’t ban protests outside MPs’ homes” shtick.

‘You don’t win arguments by intimidating people. You just coarsen the public debate.’

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