They came (for me and my OBE)

I saw what they were up to, and for the second time in 18 months conquered their politically motivated attack!

Twice they’ve come after my OBE. Twice they’ve failed. And twice I’ve had to spend my own hard-earned money fighting what I believe is a politically motivated abuse of power dressed up as protecting the honours system.

The Honours Forfeiture Committee has now seen sense for a second time after I was accused of bringing the honours system into disrepute.
My latest supposed crime? Using the word “jungle” when referring to migrant camps in northern France. A term newspapers have used themselves! You couldn’t make it up.

As I told the Daily Mail, “It’s stupidity.”

Last time, they went digging through old comments and social media posts. This time, another complaint, another investigation, another expensive legal battle.

My lawyers produced a 26-page response, and once again the case collapsed.

I don’t believe for one minute this is a coincidence. I’ve been outspoken about Labour, its attacks on business, its disastrous economic policies and its treatment of people who dare challenge the establishment.

And I believe that’s why I’ve become a target. The Government insists the committee is independent. Well, that’s their story and maybe that’s true. But this witch-hunt increasingly looks like an establishment determined to punish someone for refusing to keep his mouth shut.

I earned my OBE building a business from nothing, creating jobs, training apprentices and contributing to British industry. I didn’t receive it for agreeing with politicians.

An honour awarded for services to business should not become a weapon against political dissent.

Two attempts, two failures, and one message from me. I won’t be bullied, I won’t be silenced, and I certainly won’t surrender.