Chris Packham urges the public to consider breaking the law to protect the climate
Springwatch presenter Chris Packham is set to trigger fresh controversy over a new documentary in which he urges the public to consider breaking the law to protect the climate. The presenter who is also President of the RSPCA - has voiced his support of eco-protest groups , Animal Rising and said a 'tornado of change' is needed to stop . In the new documentary Is it Time to Break the Law, due to be transmitted later this year, Packham appears to endorse the radical tactics of the groups, whose activists have variously hurled soup at Old Master painters and disrupted events including Premier League Football matches, the World Snooker Championship, the Grand National and the Chelsea Flower Show. Packham's appearance at a 'slow march' organised by Just Stop Oil in which he interviewed activists - was heralded by the group on social media. Mr Packham will assess the impact of the headline-grabbing actions, whether more members of the public should get involved in breaking the law to make a political point. Mr Packham said: 'Peaceful protest has been a cornerstone of activism, but as the urgency grows, we must question whether it is enough. 'What will compel decision-makers to listen and take decisive action? The time for complacency has long passed, and it is up to us to drive a tornado of change that cannot be ignored. Our planet's survival depends on it.' When Packham appeared at a Just Stop Oil protest on the Strand last month to film his documentary, his appearance was heralded by the group. JSO said: 'Acclaimed naturalist and 'Springwatch' presenter Chris Packham arrived at the Strand with a crew to film and interview Just Stop Oil supporters. In comments reported by LBC, Mr Packham said: 'If it isn't a disruptive protest it doesn't get news.' And in further comments to the website PoliticsJoe, Packham said: 'I'm making a documentary for Channel 4 about the future of climate protesting. 'Is it working? If it isn't working, what are we going to do? 'Because we need to find a solution basically, and is protest a part of that solution? Where should we go? How disruptive do we have to be? Are we looking at... generating... mass public protest, or do we have to go even further and direct violence at property, fossil fuel infrastructure?' The presenter sparked an impartiality row earlier this year after urging his Twitter followers to join an Extinction Rebellion demo in the capital. He also recently praised two JSO protesters who were jailed for scaling the Dartford Crossing Bridge in Kent causing hours of traffic chaos for travellers - for their 'enormous act of bravery' and for 'sacrificing their freedom'. He also urged his Twitter followers to donate funds to Animal Rising to pay for repairs to houses damaged by police raids. Mr Packham's political views have been the subject of several complaints while working at the BBC. Critics say that as a BBC presenter he should not publicise his political views as this goes against the corporation's code of conduct to be impartial. But the BBC has always said that as Packham is a freelancer and does not present a news or current affairs show he is not under the same obligation to be impartial. The BBC has said that 'social media guidance for freelancers is ongoing' therefore not breaching impartiality rules. Channel 4 has been contacted for comment.