Reports have alleged that Defra director Ben Goldsmith has allowed red deer to escape from his Somerset farm. Rewilding has been called a ‘toxic’ practice in the countryside and there have been calls for Mr Goldsmith to resign on social media.
The Daily Mail reported that Mr Goldsmith allegedly broke rules by releasing deer and wild boar - although he denied the claims, saying the animals had already been living locally.
Andrew Gilruth, of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, said: “The police say they are investigating this incident but everyone must remember we have laws about when and how animals can be released into our countryside, for good reason - they can cause havoc to both businesses and other wildlife.”