Queen icon Sir Brian May, 77, has announced the “painful decision” to resign as RSPCA vice president after 12 years in the role.
The rocker cited the RSPCA’s Assured scheme as the main reason for his resignation, explaining that “appallingly bad standards of animal welfare” were supposedly on display in member farms.
May hit out at the RSPCA’s response to complaints about animal welfare at said farms, claiming the organisation’s reaction has been “completely inadequate”.
The 77-year-old, who’s also recovering from a stroke ordeal, penned in an open letter to the RSPCA: “It is with profound sadness and not without massive soul-searching that today I have to offer my resignation as a vice-president of the RSPCA.
“You have kept me informed through the Save-Me Trust of complaints that have been levelled in recent months at the RSPCA over appallingly bad standards of animal welfare in member farms of the RSPCA Assured scheme.
“I have understood that the RSPCA needed time to evaluate the evidence and make decisions on action to be taken. But as more and more evidence comes to light, I find the RSPCA’s response completely inadequate.
Brian May branded the decision as ‘very painful’
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“In line with the organisation’s core principles, and in the clear knowledge that supervision of the Assured scheme had failed and was continuing to fail, I feel the only acceptable policy would have been complete dismantling of the scheme.
“Instead, the RSPCA have tried to defend their position, and in doing so, in my view, have sacrificed their integrity.”
He shared a copy of the open letter on his Instagram page alongside the accompanying caption that read: “My letter of resignation earlier today as a Vice President to the RSPCA. A very sad day – and a painful decision to make.
“But in the face of the recent revelations about conditions in some farms in the RSPCA Assured scheme.
“I feel the RSPCA have had ample time to do the right thing – but have tried to justify their position.
“And meanwhile good folks out there are still paying extra for animal produce with the RSPCA sticker on it, thinking they are protecting farm animals from cruelty.
“A very hard decision, because of all the great things the RSPCA do, but in the end there was no other option for me. Bri.”
His decision has been met with an outpouring of support from his social media following, with many applauding his “integrity”.
One fan penned in response: “I completely understand your decision. You’re a man of integrity and you did all you could to make the RSPCA address these serious issues. Thank you.”
A second echoed: “Oh Bri, sorry to hear that but as you say, it had to be done. Keep your chin up, we’re all behind you #briarmy.”
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Brian May is best known for his role in Queen
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Meanwhile, a third weighed in: “I believe this was very difficult to do, but most of the time the right decisions are the most difficult ones. I admire your integrity and courage!”
And a fourth concurred: “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do! That should tell them something right there!!” (sic)
May has been a vocal campaigner for animal rights for years, most notably as a public opponent to the country’s badger cull.
He recently returned to screens in a BBC documentary where he delved into whether the cull was an effective deterrent for the spread of bovine TB.