Reviewing politics
and culture since 1913

  1. Politics
16 June 2012updated 26 Sep 2015 6:32pm

Armando Iannucci gets OBE; Alastair Campbell does not approve

Malcolm Tucker unavailable for comment

By Alex Hern

Armando Iannucci awarded OBE; Alastair Campbell disapproves

Storified by Alex Hern · Sat, Jun 16 2012 05:09:16

Armando Iannucci, creator of the Thick of It, In the Loop, and a great deal of other comedy masterworks, is to receive an OBE. Channelling Rupert Murdoch, Iannucci announced on Twitter that:
This is the most humble day of my life.Armando Iannucci
Alastair Campbell, upon whom Iannucci’s Malcolm Tucker character is heavily based, does not approve of him taking the honour. A squabble ensues:
. So @AIannucci OBE joins the Establishment he claims to deride. Malcolm Tucker and I do not approve of honours systemAlastair Campbell
. @campbellclaret It’s probably more Establishment to order your army to march into other countries for no reason. Swings and roundabouts.Armando Iannucci
@Aiannucci you see, your wit a bit tired and blunt already. Three little letters can have more impact than you realise. Tut tutAlastair Campbell
. @campbellclaret WMDArmando Iannucci
With that, Iannucci bows out, heading off for breakfast. But Campbell, who has twice turned down a peerage, isn’t prepared to let it go quite yet:
Call from Tucker re @aianucci OBE ‘F-ing make him what he is by taking on public school establishment w—ers & he f-ing joins em’ Jeez-oAlastair Campbell
OBE trending ahead of MBE today @aiannucci happy Twitter is reflecting the order of merit as decided in the Whitehall he satirises so wellAlastair Campbell
.@aiannucci on his OBE “I hope it’s not an attempt by Government to stop me because that’s not going to happen.” That’s what we call spinAlastair Campbell
.This is the question he appears unable to answer @wildkippers so – @Aiannucci why did you accept it?Alastair Campbell

Subscribe to the New Statesman today for only £1 a week.
Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Lives stuck in limbo
Rare Diseases: Closing the translation gap
Clinical leadership can drive better rare disease care

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments