More than than 3,300 scientists also put their names to a letter, written by Prof Stephen Curry, emeritus professor of structural biology at Imperial College London, who is not a fellow, that expressed "deep concern" about the billionaire's fellowship and the society's "continued silence and apparent inaction" with regard to the controversy.

DOGE’s wild rampage is the major sticking point in talks over a deal and he could blow up any such agreement by riling up a troll army.