Beatles Fans Want Lennon's MBE On Display

• 9th Jan 2009

Beatles fans are calling for John Lennon's MBE to be put on display, forty years after he famously sent it back to the Queen in protest against UK politics and record-buying trends at the time.

In a note sent with the award, Lennon told the Queen: “Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon”.

A spokesman for the Chancery Department of the Royal Household in St James' Palace, where the MBE and accompanying note are currently held, told The Telegraph: “John Lennon's MBE is being taken good care of and is in storage at the Central Chancery, St James' Palace. It has been retained since the day Mr Lennon returned it, but in order to decide whether the medal could go on display in a museum, we would have to establish ownership first. It could be up to Yoko Ono as she is the custodian of John Lennon's estate”.

Gene Grimes, founder of the Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society said: “The Palace are sitting on a unique piece of Beatles history and it should not be left to gather dust in a draw. The medal is a vital piece of Beatles memorabilia and should be exhibited for John's fans to see”.