The Honours Forfeiture Committee contacted Charlie Mullins, Britain's richest plumber and a donor to the Reform party, regarding comments he made about migrants. The committee received a complaint that Mullins' tweet calling for migrants to be "sent back to the jungle" was racist. Mullins maintains the phrase referred to migrant camps in northern France, such as the notorious "Calais Jungle" that existed from 2015 to 2016.
This is not the first time Mullins has faced scrutiny from the committee. In September 2024, he was investigated over a series of social media posts, including one suggesting London Mayor Sadiq Khan "should be killed." His lawyers submitted arguments, and he agreed to undergo "gender sensitivity and diversity training," after which the committee decided not to take further action.
Mullins, founder of Pimlico Plumbers, now resides in Marbella, Spain, having relocated to avoid what he described as Labour's tax increases. He stated he paid over £100 million in personal tax during his lifetime. His tweet in question read: "What bothers me what they spend our tax on anybody but English, They will. never get another penny off of me to give all the illegals and the ponces, Send them back to the jungle."
Mullins told the Mail that the term "jungle" referred to the migrant camps, which he understood to be unpleasant living conditions. He also clarified that "ponces" referred to those he considered to be "illegals scrounging off taxpayers."
His legal team submitted a 26-page response to the committee, explaining the context of the tweet and arguing for him to retain his OBE, which he received in 2015 for services to plumbing.
The committee has now indicated it will drop this particular case. However, Mullins claims he is being targeted due to his political views and that the committee's actions are "politically motivated."
The Forfeiture Committee, convened by the Prime Minister and chaired by a senior civil servant, also previously raised concerns about Mullins' comments on the Ulez scheme, remarks about Carol Vorderman, statements about transgender people, and an alleged racist joke.
Mullins, who was a Conservative supporter and donor under the Conservative government, has expressed his intention not to return to the UK unless Nigel Farage becomes Prime Minister. He has also stated his new company, WeFix, will not serve Labour MPs.