Scottish actor Alan Cumming returns OBE over 'toxicity' of British Empire and role of the monarchy

Actor Alan Cumming has announced he has returned his OBE over the “toxicity” of the British Empire.

The Scottish performer said he was “incredibly grateful” for the honour, which he received from the Queen in 2009 for championing LGBT rights in the US.

However, 14 years on, he said “the Queen’s death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of indigenous peoples across the world” had “really opened” his eyes.

Making the announcement on his 58th birthday, Cumming said: “Thankfully times and laws in the US have changed, and the great good the award brought to the LGBTQ+ cause back in 2009 is now less potent than the misgivings I have being associated with the toxicity of empire (OBE stands for Officer of the British Empire).”

He added: “So I returned my award, explained my reasons and reiterated my great gratitude for being given it in the first place. I’m now back to being plain old Alan Cumming again.”

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When initially accepting the OBE, Cumming said: “I am really shocked and delighted to receive this honour. I am especially happy to be honoured for my activism as much as for my work.

“The fight for equality for the LGBT community in the US is something I am very passionate about, and I see this honour as encouragement to go on fighting for what I believe is right and for what I take for granted as a UK citizen.

“Thank you to the Queen and those who make up her Birthday honours list for bringing attention to the inaction of the US government on this issue. It makes me very proud to be British, and galvanised as an American.”

Cumming, who lives in Manhattan, was awarded the OBE in recognition for his campaign work against anti-LGBT legislation instituted by the Clinton administration.

He said: “Back then the Defence of Marriage Act ensured that same sex couples couldn’t get married or enjoy the same basic legal rights as straight people, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ensured that openly gay, lesbian or bisexual people were barred from serving in the military.”