Sir Roger hits back on hypocrisy’ jibe

ROGER Moore has hit back after being accused of hypocrisy by Britain’s last lion tamer.

James Bond star Sir Roger, 89, last week vehemently backed the Sunday People’s campaign to ban wild animals from circuses.

But circus owner Thomas Chipperfield said Sir Roger had double standards because his uncle was Moore’s stunt double in scenes with family tigers in the 1983 Bond movie Octopussy.

Mr Chipperfield’s business part- ner Anthony Beckwith has also challenged Sir Roger to donate his Bond millions to animal rights.

Speaking exclusively to The People, Sir Roger hit back at Mr Chipperfield, saying: “You can’t expect someone who chains, whips and otherwise dominates animals to behave like a gentleman.

“Trying to justify the cruel treatment of animals today because a circus tiger appeared in Octopussy in 1983 – long before the abusive treatment of animals in the enter- tainment industry was exposed – speaks volumes about Mr Chipperfield’s character.”

Mr Chipperfield had told of “deep sadness” at Sir Roger attacking animal acts in circuses as “he has worked with them himself”.

He said: “My uncle John played his stunt double in the tiger scene in Octopussy and they were uncle Dickie’s tigers. The film also featured circus elephants and other animals.”

Sir Roger replied: “While he may be incapable of moral evolution, the rest of us are not and now we know that the spirits of elephants, lions and other animals are broken and that these animals are robbed of everything they hold dear so that they will perform meaningless tricks, such as balancing on balls, we are no longer amused.

“Call it a day, Mr Chipperfield. The curtain’s down, house lights are up and the audience has left the building.”