Angela Smith may be minister for the third sector but there's one particular kind of charity she seems intent on getting rid of.

Not content with refusing to attend the launch of the Compact Refresh, one of the most important contracts between government and charities, because it was held at London Zoo, Smith has now declared in and interview with the Daily Gazette for Essex, that zoos - most of which are registered charities - should all eventually be closed down.

It’s not all bad though - she has accepted that zoos cannot all be shut immediately, instead suggesting target dates for the final animals to be imported and the last zoo to be shut.

In addition to her role as charities minister, Smith is also a patron of the Captive Animals Protection Society.

London Zoo is understandably disappointed: “The comments of Angela Smith MP represent her personal view, not those of the government,” said a spokeswoman for the Zoological Society of London.

“We feel disappointed that Ms Smith, who is supposed to represent our interests as a charity, allows personal bias to limit her role as charities minister.

“We would welcome the chance to show Ms Smith some of the amazing work ZSL does to conserve animals and preserve their natural habitats using funds generated through our two zoos.”

They shouldn’t hold their breath…