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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Lingerie firm founder rejects MBE | Lingerie firm founder rejects MBE |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Joseph Corre, co-founder of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, has rejected his MBE because he said he finds Prime Minister Tony Blair "morally corrupt". | Joseph Corre, co-founder of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, has rejected his MBE because he said he finds Prime Minister Tony Blair "morally corrupt". |
| Mr Corre was awarded the MBE for his services to the fashion industry in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. | Mr Corre was awarded the MBE for his services to the fashion industry in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. |
| His criticism of Mr Blair, who steps down as the most electorally successful Labour PM next week, focused on Iraq, Afghanistan and civil liberties. | His criticism of Mr Blair, who steps down as the most electorally successful Labour PM next week, focused on Iraq, Afghanistan and civil liberties. |
| The firm's co-founder Serena Rees, who is his wife, has accepted her MBE. | The firm's co-founder Serena Rees, who is his wife, has accepted her MBE. |
| 'Gave me a kick' | 'Gave me a kick' |
| Mr Corre said his decision "in no way reflects on my opinion of the Queen whom I respect and would be honoured to have as a customer". | Mr Corre said his decision "in no way reflects on my opinion of the Queen whom I respect and would be honoured to have as a customer". |
| Although he was initially flattered to have his work recognised - "it even gave me a kick to imagine what some of the bureaucrats and censors I have had to fight up to now must think" - he later decided to reject the honour. | Although he was initially flattered to have his work recognised - "it even gave me a kick to imagine what some of the bureaucrats and censors I have had to fight up to now must think" - he later decided to reject the honour. |
| He just needs to let someone know and they won't invite him to the investiture where the Queen hands out the medals Cabinet Office spokeswoman | He just needs to let someone know and they won't invite him to the investiture where the Queen hands out the medals Cabinet Office spokeswoman |
| He said the prime minister had been involved in events such as Afghanistan and Iraq that had led to suffering, as well as eroding civil liberties in the UK. | He said the prime minister had been involved in events such as Afghanistan and Iraq that had led to suffering, as well as eroding civil liberties in the UK. |
| "To accept this MBE as an honour would mean to me that I would have to accept the prime minister as someone capable of giving an honour i.e. an honourable man, which I cannot find it in my heart to do." | "To accept this MBE as an honour would mean to me that I would have to accept the prime minister as someone capable of giving an honour i.e. an honourable man, which I cannot find it in my heart to do." |
| Ms Rees, 38, was "delighted" with her own MBE and would not be rejecting it, a company spokeswoman said. | Ms Rees, 38, was "delighted" with her own MBE and would not be rejecting it, a company spokeswoman said. |
| "It is a great achievement for her personally and indeed for the company that her contribution to fashion has been acknowledged in this way." | "It is a great achievement for her personally and indeed for the company that her contribution to fashion has been acknowledged in this way." |
| The Cabinet Office said Mr Corre had previously written to accept the honour. Neither its ceremonial secretariat nor Downing St had been notified of his subsequent rejection. | |
| "We have not heard anything from him. However if he wants to go back on it, it is a fairly easy process. | "We have not heard anything from him. However if he wants to go back on it, it is a fairly easy process. |
| "He just needs to let someone know and they won't invite him to the investiture where the Queen hands out the medals," a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said. | "He just needs to let someone know and they won't invite him to the investiture where the Queen hands out the medals," a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said. |
| Mr Corre, 39, is the son of fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who was awarded her honour in the 2006 New Year Honours. | Mr Corre, 39, is the son of fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who was awarded her honour in the 2006 New Year Honours. |