Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Why did the BBC show people skinning and eating squirrels in studio?

Newsnight took a step into slightly more left-field territory last night.

NEWSNIGHT IS ONE of the BBC’s many staples – a current affairs programme par excellence and home for many years to the incomparable Jeremy Paxman.

Why then did it decide to show people cooking and eating a squirrel last night?

It was all to prove a point about man’s odd culinary relationship with certain animals it seems.

Writer and environmentalist George Monbiot, who provoked outrage earlier this week when he revealed he cooked a squirrel he found dead on a road, repeated the feat on Newsnight together with nonplussed presenter James O’Brien.

And this is the result:

BBC Newsnight / YouTube

Why an axe was a necessary implement we cannot say. Apparently however, according to a queasy looking O’Brien at any rate, the rodent tastes something like rabbit.

monb1

monb2

monb3

Monbiot believes that  all farmed meat is basically unethical hence the diversion into roadkill.

And as you might expect the macabre spectacle has provoked a deal of reaction on Twitter, from the:

Amused

… to the…

Incredulous

… to the…

Bemused

… and of course, those who

Agree 100%

Dull television it ain’t.

Read: Glastonbury’s left-behind wellies are being donated to the migrants in Calais

Read: Man ‘trapped in piece of furniture’ in Co Cork

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds