A multimillionaire backer of Reform UK says threats to remove his OBE were “politically motivated”. The Honours Forfeiture Committee first accused Charlie Mullins, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, of “bringing the honours system into disrepute” in September, over comments dating back to 2022.
It said it was “minded to recommend to His Majesty that your OBE be revoked”, citing comments that included a controversial post about Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, The Telegraph reports. But the Reform supporter was told last week that no action would be taken after submissions by his lawyers that included a promise to take part in “gender sensitivity and diversity training”. Despite the case being dropped, Mr Mullins, who primarily lives in Spain, has accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of pursuing political revenge.
Charlie Mullins claimed Labour wants to “destroy” people speaking out against the party (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage told the newspaper that “Labour needs to leave Charlie alone” (Image: Getty)
He told The Telegraph: “It’s definitely politically motivated. I’m being victimised because I left the UK and said I’m not playing the game with them any more.
“I’ve also made a big noise that they’re driving billionaires and millionaires, hard-working people, out of the country. So I’ve made quite a big noise about what I genuinely believe to be the truth.
“Anybody that speaks up against them they want to destroy, and that’s what they’re doing here with me. They think that because I’ve opened my mouth and spoke the truth, they think they’re going to shut me up. Well they ain’t.”
In the Forfeiture Committee’s letter to Mr Mullins in September, it raised concerns about posts on X, formerly Twitter, in 2023.
The 72-year-old businessman was suspended from the social media platform for saying “someone should kill” the Mayor of London in a discussion on the city’s ULEZ scheme.
The committee cited a “misogynistic” comment Mr Mullins made on GB News about Carol Vorderman having her “t*** hanging out”, as well as accusations he made a racist joke at the British Curry Awards, The Telegraph reports.
Comments from Mr Mullins about including transgender people in the workplace were also reportedly referenced by the committee.
The letter said: “While you apologised for your remarks in each case, the committee feels that this is a troubling pattern of behaviour.
“This behaviour is not of the standard expected of an honours recipient. The committee is therefore minded to recommend to His Majesty that your OBE be revoked.”
Mr Mullins argued that the grounds for forfeiture had not been met and that his comments were protected under freedom of expression.
Lawyers for Mr Mullins said the businessman was struggling with mental health issues at the time of his remarks and that he had apologised publicly.
The Forfeiture Committee has a majority of independent members and is chaired by Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald.
Each case is considered individually, with the committee’s recommendations for forfeiture submitted through the Prime Minister to the King.
