Multimillionaire businessman claims Prime Minister is trying to strip him of OBE in political dispute

A high-profile multimillionaire is making headlines after alleging that the Prime Minister attempted to strip him of his OBE due to his controversial past statements.

Charlie Mullins, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, insists that his outspoken political views, particularly his criticism of the Labour government, have made him a target.

The controversy first erupted last September when the Honours Forfeiture Committee accused Mullins of tarnishing the integrity of the honours system due to past remarks.

At the time, the committee stated they were “minded to recommend to His Majesty that your OBE be revoked.”

Now, Mullins is pointing fingers at Sir Keir Starmer, claiming that the Labour leader personally sought to take away his prestigious title.

A Social Media Storm and Political Fallout

Mullins’ troubles trace back to a 2023 post on X (formerly Twitter), where he made an incendiary comment about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The post resulted in his suspension from the platform, leading to increased scrutiny of his online conduct.

The businessman was accused of making inflammatory remarks about Khan in a debate surrounding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), stating that “someone should kill” the Mayor.

While the matter was officially dropped last week following Mullins’ agreement to undergo “gender sensitivity and diversity training,” the 72-year-old remains vocal about what he perceives as a politically motivated attack.

He argues that Labour is attempting to silence dissenters, particularly wealthy entrepreneurs who have been critical of government policies.

“I’m Being Victimised,” Claims Mullins

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mullins did not hold back.

“It’s definitely politically motivated.

I’m being victimised because I left the UK and said I’m not playing the game with them anymore,” he stated.

He went on to argue that the current government is actively pushing away billionaires and millionaires, branding their policies as hostile to the wealthy.

“I’ve made quite a big noise about what I genuinely believe to be the truth,” Mullins added, doubling down on his claims that Labour is trying to “destroy” anyone who dares to speak against them.

Reform UK Leader Defends Mullins

The leader of Reform UK has now entered the fray, throwing his support behind Mullins.

He criticized Labour’s actions and urged them to “leave Charlie alone.”

The statement has only intensified the political debate surrounding the issue, further polarizing opinions on whether the government is overstepping in its handling of public figures with controversial pasts.

Past Comments and Legal Defense

Mullins has faced numerous accusations of inappropriate comments in recent years.

The Honours Forfeiture Committee flagged a “misogynistic” remark he made on GB News about television personality Carol Vorderman, as well as alleged racist jokes at the British Curry Awards and controversial remarks about transgender individuals in the workplace.

Despite this, Mullins maintains that his words fall under freedom of expression.

His legal team has argued that his past statements should not serve as grounds for revoking his OBE.

They also emphasized that Mullins was experiencing mental health struggles at the time of some of his most criticized remarks and that he had since apologized.

From Conservative Donor to Controversial Figure

Mullins was awarded his OBE in the 2015 New Year Honours during David Cameron’s tenure as Prime Minister.

At the time, he was a staunch supporter of the Conservative Party, even donating £22,735 to the Tories that same year.

However, his political stance has shifted over time, leading him to back Reform UK.

His evolving views and outspoken nature have kept him in the public eye, making him both a champion for free speech and a lightning rod for criticism.

The Future of Mullins’ OBE

With no action being taken against him for now, it remains uncertain whether Mullins’ OBE will remain intact or if further scrutiny will lead to its eventual revocation.

As political debates over free speech and accountability continue, his case is likely to spark further discussions on how public figures should be held responsible for their words and actions.

For now, Mullins is standing firm, determined to fight what he sees as an unjust attempt to tarnish his legacy.

Whether his OBE remains in place or not, one thing is clear—he is not backing down without a fight.