Satirist accused of selling out over OBE

Armando Iannucci has become embroiled with a Twitter row with former spin doctor Alastair Campbell for accepting an OBE.

The writer and producer was criticised in several quarters for accepting the honour yesterday, fearing that it could blunt his satirical bite.

Campbell, said to be the template for foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker in Iannucci's Thick Of It, tweeted: ‘So @AIannucci OBE joins the Establishment he claims to deride. Malcolm Tucker and I do not approve of honours system.’

Iannucci hit back, attacking Mr Campbell’s role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq: ‘It’s probably more Establishment to order your army to march into other countries for no reason. Swings and roundabouts.’

Campbell then claimed that he had turned down offers of a peerage twice, adding: ‘You see, your wit a bit tired and blunt already. Three little letters can have more impact than you realise. Tut tut.’

To which Mr Iannucci replied: ‘WMD.'

Campbell conceded: 'Good retort.'

The spin doctor was not the only one to question why Iannucci accepted the Establishment honour in the Queen's birthday list.

Broadcaster and former Sunday Times editor Andrew Neil asked: ‘Why would somebody who constantly parades their anti-Establishment credentials accept such a bauble?’

However, most Twitter users seemed to congratulate Iannucci on the honour, which was awarded for services to broadcasting.

Published: 16 Jun 2012