DJ Goldie threatens to melt MBE in protest over closure of Fabric nightclub

DJ Goldie has threatened to melt down his MBE in protest following the closure of east London nightclub Fabric.

The musician told Channel 4 News that Islington Council's decision to shut down the club was a sign of the decline of London's diverse arts scene and night life.

"This country was built on being different and being out there," he said.

"I'm wondering whether or not the likes of me, the likes of Jazzie B, Norman Jay, Pete Tong for that matter, should just trade our MBEs in, melt them down and put them in a pencil-pusher's coffee, so it can taste a little bit sweeter for him today, so he feels more successful in killing counter culture and culture itself."

Goldie, whose real name is Clifford Joseph Price, rose to fame on the UK rave scene in the 1990s, and was awarded an MBE for services to music and young people in the 2016 New Years Honours List.

Islington Council said it decided to close the club because the venue had developed a "culture of drug use" that the local authority was "incapable of controlling".

Goldie, however, suggested that the closure has been long pre-planned by a cash-strapped council.

"That's the real reason Fabric was closed - no other reason," he said.

Referring to the victims of drug-related deaths at the club, Goldie added: "God bless those kids that passed away. God bless them and their families. It's very serious when it happens.

"But there have been people that have died from drugs in and out of clubs, hotels, everywhere, regardless of that. They needed an excuse and they've got one."

The DJ warned that the club's closure could prompt mass riots.

"I think from a country-wide point of view it could have a lot of repercussions," Goldie said.

"If this goes down the way that it's going down, god I'm glad I made music when I did because god help the kids of tomorrow. You're going to have mass riots on your hands and remember I told you so."

An Islington Council spokeman said: "The decision of Islington Council's licensing committee on Fabric's licence was based solely on the evidence, submissions, and representations put before the committee.

"To suggest anything else is simply wrong. For the avoidance of doubt, Islington Council is not the owner of the building and has no financial interest in the site."