JACKIE BALLARD, the former Liberal Democat MP whose anti-hunt views contributed to her losing her seat in last year’s general election, is the first choice to become the new director-general of the RSPCA.

Mrs Ballard, 49, was offered the £90,000 post at the weekend after the RSPCA council interviewed four candidates at a secret meeting in London.

It was unclear, however, whether Mrs Ballard intends to accept the post. She was not available for comment.

There has been much controversy over the handling of the appointment process and Mrs Ballard was originally left off a final shortlist.

The council is also to discuss a motion of no confidence, at its December meeting, in Dr Richard Ryder, the RSPCA chairman, and David Thomas, its vice-chairman, over the selection process. A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “Someone was offered the post yesterday but until he or she accepts we cannot reveal the name.” The appointment of Mrs Ballard will anger pro-hunt members of the charity.

Mrs Ballard, who was educated at the private Monmouth School for Girls and at the London School of Economics, where she studied social psychology, became a social worker and college lecturer. In 1999 she stood for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party under the slogan “Jackie B — who cares wins”.

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