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January 2, 2007

UK: Muslim Former Boxing Star Loses His MBE

The award of "Member of the British Empire" or MBE was presented to the UK boxer of Pakistani descent, "Prince" Naseem Hamed, in May 1999. At that time, aged 25, Hamed was still regarded as a hero to Muslim youth. At 19 he was European featherweight champion, at 21, world champion.

Eight years on, and Hamed has lost his public appeal outside of the Muslim community. He has tried to gain kudos amongst his Muslim followers by bizarre and unsporting comments. In 2005 he had an opportunity to re-enter the ring, to face another UK Muslim, 18-year old Amir Khan. Naseem said: "I might spar with him, or teach him a few tricks but - even if there was a billion dollars on the line - I would never get in the ring with another Muslim. It is against my principles."

One thing is now certain. Naseem Hamed may profess Muslim values, but his moral principles are sorely lacking. Before he received his MBE, "Nas" was already a notoriously reckless driver. In 1995, he was banned from driving for three months for driving above the speed limit. He was awarded 3 penalty points in 1998, six in 1999, and a further three in 2004.

This cavalier approach to road safety nearly killed two people on May 12, 2005. Hamed was driving at excess speed in a reckless fashion in his £320,000 ($603,221) Mercedes McLaren, showing off his car's capabilities to a friend. This carbon fibre machine bore the number plate - "NAS 1". His vehicle, travelling at more than 90 mph on the wrong side of the road, smashed into another car, a Volkswagen Golf, and severely injured its 38-year old driver, Anthony Burgin. Every major bone in Mr Burgin's body had been fractured. Mr Burgin's wife Clare, who was also in the car , was seriously injured. After causing the crash, the "heroic" boxer tried to run from the scene.

He was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment, but only spent 16 weeks in Moorlands Open Prison. He was released on Monday September 4. The way in which he left prison outraged media commentators around the world. His brothers arrived, and with them were three vehicles, for Hamed to chose how he would be transported back to his home in Wyvern Gardens, Dore in Sheffield.

The cars were a BMW, and also (pictured) a silver Rolls Royce Phantom, worth £280,000 ($527,781), and behind that a 32 foot long stretch limo, a Range Rover, worth more than £180,000 ($339,254). Hamed chose to go home in the silver Rolls Royce.

Before disappearing to be driven home in style, Hamed made a token gesture to his victim, Mr Burgin. He said: "My heart goes out to Mr Burgin and his family." Then he returned the focus to his main interest- himself. He whined that he had missed the birth of his third baby while incarcerated. Then he said: "What can I say? It's been hard."

Now, according to the Times and the Telegraph, Hamed's arrogance may be slightly dented, as he has been stripped of his MBE.

A document of the Crown, entitled The London Gazette announced in December that: "The Queen has directed that the appointment of Naseem Hamed to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 31 December 1998, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order."

No-one from the Gazette made comment, but a Cabinet Office official said, while not mentioning Hamed by name: "Forfeiture is considered if evidence comes to light that someone has done something which shows they shouldn't have received an honour."

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at January 2, 2007 7:06 AM

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Posted by: Cornelius at January 2, 2007 4:53 PM

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