Chris Packham has slammed Rishi Sunak in a new letter over the decision to delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035.
The environmental campaigner is set to legally challenge the Prime Minister’s decision to delay or scrap a number of net zero policies.
The Prime Minister acknowledged how electric cars had outstripped sales forecasts, highlighting how a new EV is registered every 60 seconds.
WATCH NOW: Chris Packham issues urgent warning to Rishi Sunak
He said: “But I also think that at least for now, it should be you the consumer that makes that choice, not Government forcing you to do it. Because the upfront cost is still high – especially for families struggling with the cost of living.
“Small businesses are worried about the practicalities. And we’ve got further to go to get that charging infrastructure truly nationwide.”
In response to the announcement, Chris Packham has sent the Prime Minister a legal letter which signals the start of a judicial review process.
According to environmental lawyers at law firm Leigh Day, if Rishi Sunak does not make a U-turn on the delays, Chris Packham will apply to the High Court to challenge the plans.
The TV presenter will be targeting the legality of “abandoning” the move to zero emission vehicles by 2030 and the phasing out of new and replacement gas boilers by 2035.
In the letter, the host of Springwatch claims the PM does not have the legal right to change net zero goals, adding that the 2050 deadline cannot be changed.
Chris Packham said: “Even before this spontaneous, ill-judged and we contend, unlawful announcement, the UK Government’s plans to meet its legal Net Zero commitments were shambolic and destined to fail.
“Its own Climate Change Committee’s last report said that continued delays in policy development and implementation meant reaching those targets was ‘increasingly challenging’.
“It also highlighted a ‘lack of urgency’ across Government, a ‘worrying hesitancy’ and lack of political leadership on the climate issue.
“The Prime Minister is playing populist politics with the future of life on Earth. Immoral, unethical and, we believe, illegal.”
The letter was originally sent last week, with Rishi Sunak having 14 days to reply or reverse the decision before Chris Packham turns to the High Court.
The wildlife expert, who recently appeared in a documentary about whether it is “ethically acceptable” for people to break the law when protesting the Government, claimed Rishi Sunak had abandoned policies without public consultation, without informing the Climate Change Committee and without informing Parliament.
Carol Day, the solicitor from Leigh Day representing Mr Packham, said: “Only in June 2023, the Climate Change Committee identified the 2030 phase-out of new conventional car and van sales and the ban on the phasing out of new and replacement gas boilers by 2035 as vital steps to meeting the UK’s decarbonisation pathway by 2050.
“Our client believes the Prime Minister’s announcement is unlawful for many reasons.
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Rishi Sunak announced a delay to the petrol and diesel sales ban deadline in September
PA
“Moreover, the letter argues that the PM has also failed to provide alternative replacement policies or proposals in order to meet carbon budgets as required in law.”
