Rural workers protest against Chris Packham and his ‘unsubstantial allegations’

Mr Packham has recently backed two Westminster petitions to end grouse shooting – which supports 2,500 Scottish jobs – and has mounted legal challenges to other country sports and farming.

Gamekeeper Allan Hodgson said: “[Chris Packham] does not know these communities, how they work and what binds them together.

‘Enough’

“He has not managed land in his life and knows nothing of the challenges. What he is seeking is to ban activities which bring benefits and jobs to people, [and] help threatened wildlife and fragile areas.

“Folk have had enough. If he is serious about making things better, he should not be trying to put people who manage the land every day out of work – he should be talking to them.”

Mr Hodgson added Mr Packham had ‘obsessive tunnel vision’ and was ‘ignoring science’.

Earlier this year his campaign group Wild Justice legally challenged General Licences, which farmers say has resulted in financial damage to their crops, injury to livestock and the loss of dwindling bird life.

A protestor said: “He is happy to mount legal challenges to fox and crow control, which helps protect rarer wildlife and farm livestock, yet he will call for deer to be slaughtered in Scotland if it fits with his own personal agenda.

“His concern for wildlife seems to be very selective.”