CHRIS PACKHAM and Caroline Lucas have resigned from the RSPCA, accusing the animal welfare charity’s leadership of “misleading the public and legitimising cruelty.”

The TV conservationist and former Green Party leader both expressed their sadness over leaving their respective roles as president and vice-president of the organisation.

The campaign group Animal Rising shared footage of apparent mistreatment at RSPCA-assured slaughterhouses in England and Scotland last week.

The RSPCA says farms on its assurance scheme must comply with its “stringent higher welfare” standards.

In June, the charity said the scheme was operating effectively after commissioning an independent review of 200 farms.

The RSPCA has now suspended three slaughterhouses from the scheme, saying that it was appalled by Animal Rising’s footage and had launched an immediate investigation.

Mr Packham said: “It is with enormous sadness that I have resigned from my role as president of the RSPCA. I would like to register my respect and admiration for all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty.”

Ms Lucas said she and Mr Packham failed to get the charity’s leadership to act.

She said: “With huge sadness I’m resigning as VP of the RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. But their assured schemes risk misleading the public and legitimising cruelty.

“I tried with Chris Packham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed.”

The RSPCA said it is “simply not true” that the organisation has failed to take urgent action.

A spokesperson said: “We agree with Chris and Caroline on so many issues and have achieved so much together for animals, but we differ on how best to address the incredibly complex and difficult issue of farmed animal welfare.”