His Instagram post triggered celebrity open letters from Ricky Gervais
and Joanna Lumley, a 60-organisation petition, an internal investigation — and
the RSPCA's own Chief Executive stepped down. Never underestimate a rock
guitarist with a cause. Brian May had been Vice President of the RSPCA since
2012. Twelve years. Fundraising. Campaigning. Lending his name and his platform
to one of the oldest animal welfare organisations in the world.
Then in
September 2024 — he found out what was happening on some of the farms carrying
the RSPCA Assured label.
Investigations had found overcrowding, poor hygiene and
physical abuse of livestock by farm workers — on over 40 farms certified under
the RSPCA Assured scheme. Supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer,
Sainsbury's and Tesco were all signed up to the scheme.
Brian May waited. Gave
the organisation time to respond properly. He watched. And felt their response
was completely inadequate. On September 26th, 2024 — he posted his resignation
letter on Instagram. "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. 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. In the end there was no other option for me." Then the chain reaction
began. The very next day — Bryan Adams, Moby, Ricky Gervais, Peter Egan, Joanna
Lumley, Miriam Margolyes and Jerome Flynn all signed an open letter urging the
RSPCA to drop the scheme. Over 60 animal protection organisations signed
alongside them. The RSPCA launched an internal review. Its Chief Executive
announced he was stepping down by the end of the year. Brian May had given
twelve years of service to the RSPCA — helping keep it afloat during
particularly difficult times for British charities. He resigned from the animal
protection society — for insufficient animal protection.
Nobody in British
public life has ever done anything more Brian May than this./


