Malcolm McLaren's son set to burn his £5m collection of punk memorabilia

Joe Corré is protesting the movement’s adoption by mainstream society

Joe Corré, founder of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, said he planned to burn his collection on 26 November, the 40th anniversary of the Sex Pistols’ single Anarchy in the UK (Getty Images)

The son of Malcolm McLaren, the late Sex Pistols manager, is to burn his £5m collection of punk memorabilia in protest at the movement’s adoption by mainstream society.

Joe Corré, founder of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, said he planned to burn his collection on 26 November, the 40^th anniversary of the Sex Pistols’ single Anarchy in the UK, the Guardian reported.

“The Queen giving 2016, the year of punk, her official blessing is the most frightening thing I’ve ever heard,” he said in a statement.

“Talk about alternative and punk culture being appropriated by the mainstream. Rather than a movement for change, punk has become like a f***ing museum piece or a tribute act.

“A general malaise has now set in amongst the British public. People are feeling numb. And with numbness comes complacency. People don’t feel they have a voice anymore.

“The most dangerous thing is that they have stopped fighting for what they believe in. They have given up the chase. We need to explode all the s*** once more.”

It was unclear what would actually be burned at the ceremony in Camden, London, although there was speculation it would include a large amount of clothing.

An event called Punk London is being held this year and Mr Corré’s publicists claimed Buckingham Palace had been in touch to offer its support. However Buckingham Palace had not confirmed this.

The Sex Pistols’ version of God Save the Queen was played during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics although it cut out before the words “fascist regime” were played.

Burning such a large amount of wealth is not unprecedented. In 1994, the K Foundation, an art project by the duo behind The KLF pop group, burned a million pounds in cash on the Scottish island of Jura.