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Baroness's Squirrel Dress Sparks Conservation Outrage
9 Feb
Summary
- Baroness wore a grey squirrel dress to a red squirrel protection conference.
- She claimed she 'didn't realise what she was doing' during the event.
- Grey squirrels are blamed for the decline of endangered red squirrels in the UK.
A Baroness has ignited fury by attending a conference dedicated to the conservation of endangered red squirrels while wearing a designer dress featuring grey squirrels. Baroness Sue Haymon reportedly stated she was unaware of the implication of her attire at the event held last summer.
This choice of fashion has been described as 'completely bizarre' by conservationists. Grey squirrels, which are not native to the UK, are considered a significant threat to the red squirrel population. They are blamed for devastating their natural environment and spreading fatal diseases.
Baroness Haymon, who was also a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra, was seen in the Dolce and Gabbana dress, which has been noted for its high resale value. Her attendance and clothing choice have drawn sharp criticism, particularly from those involved in hands-on conservation efforts.
Critics argue that the government's stance against culling grey squirrels, despite their impact, condemns the red squirrel to extinction. The UK Squirrel Accord, a taxpayer-funded partnership, aims to protect red squirrels by mitigating the negative impacts of grey squirrels and researching fertility control methods.
