Charlie Mullins, the multimillionaire founder of Pimlico Plumbers, is at the center of a heated controversy after accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of attempting to strip him of his OBE.
The accusation stems from a series of previous remarks Mullins made that have sparked backlash, with the businessman claiming the move is politically motivated.
The Controversial Comments and the Ongoing Battle
The saga began back in September 2022 when Mullins made controversial comments, which led to him being accused of “bringing the honours system into disrepute.”
At the time, the Honours Forfeiture Committee even considered recommending to His Majesty that Mullins’ OBE be revoked. The accusations are related to a social media post in which Mullins called for harm to be done to Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
His post was later flagged as inappropriate, resulting in Mullins being temporarily suspended from X (formerly Twitter) in 2023.
Despite the suspension, Mullins was recently told no further action would be taken, provided he completed “gender sensitivity and diversity training.”
However, Mullins has been vocal in his belief that the efforts to revoke his OBE are nothing more than a politically motivated attack, especially considering his outspoken views on the current state of British politics.
Mullins’ Stand Against the Government and the Backlash
Mullins, who is a supporter of Reform UK, has argued that his criticisms of the UK government, particularly its treatment of millionaires and successful entrepreneurs, have made him a target.
He explained in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, “It’s definitely politically motivated.
I’m being victimized because I left the UK and said I’m not playing the game with them anymore.”
Mullins claims that the government is intentionally driving billionaires and hardworking individuals out of the country, and he has made his discontent clear.
He further accused the Labour party of trying to “destroy” anyone who dares to speak out against them, making his position even more contentious in the ongoing political environment.
The Mishandling of Mullins’ Remarks
The controversy surrounding Mullins doesn’t end with his comments about Khan.
The businessman has also faced scrutiny over a comment he made on GB News, in which he made a misogynistic remark about TV personality Carol Vorderman.
He has been accused of making racist jokes at the British Curry Awards and of inappropriate remarks about transgender individuals in the workplace.
Mullins has consistently defended himself, stating that these comments were made under different circumstances, and he believes his right to free speech should protect him.
His lawyers have argued that Mullins was struggling with mental health issues at the time of the remarks, and they point out that he has since apologized for his actions.
The Timeline of Mullins’ OBE
Mullins was awarded his OBE in 2015 as part of the New Year Honours list, during David Cameron’s time as Prime Minister.
At the time, Mullins was a staunch supporter of the Conservative Party, even donating a significant amount to their campaign.
His OBE came during a period of personal and professional success, but now, with his comments and political leanings under scrutiny, Mullins faces an uncertain future regarding his honour.
Reform UK Leader Joins the Fray
Adding to the controversy, the leader of Reform UK has stepped into the debate, publicly calling for Labour to “leave Charlie alone.”
His intervention highlights the deepening political divisions in the country and the ongoing debate around free speech, political correctness, and the power of the honours system.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Mullins will retain his OBE or if political forces will succeed in stripping him of it.
Regardless of the outcome, the case has brought to light broader concerns about how public figures are scrutinized for their past remarks and the line between accountability and political persecution.