Alan Cumming has handed back his OBE over 'toxicity' in the British Empire.
The actor, 58, was presented with the honour at Buckingham Palace in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2009 for his ‘activism for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community’ in the US but announced on Friday that he has handed back the award.
Taking to Twitter on his 58th birthday he wrote: "The Queen’s death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of indigenous peoples across the world really opened my eyes.
"Also, thankfully, times and laws in the US have changed, and the great good the award brought to the LGBTQ+ cause back in 2009 is now less potent than the misgivings I have being associated with the toxicity of empire (OBE stands for Officer of the British Empire)."
The actor told his 479,000 followers he wanted to share with them ‘something I recently did for myself.’
He further quipped: "I’m now back to being plain old Alan Cumming again. Happy birthday to me!"
Cumming also expressed his 'great gratitude' for the honour in the first place after explaining his reasons for his decision.
At the time of accepting the award same-sex marriage was illegal and gay couples could not ‘enjoy the same basic legal rights as straight people.'
In a statement at the time, he had proclaimed: "I am especially happy to be honoured for my activism as much as for my work.
"The fight for equality for the LGBT community in the US is something I am very passionate about, and I see this honour as encouragement to go on fighting for what I believe is right and for what I take for granted as a UK citizen.
"Thank you to the Queen and those who make up her Birthday honours list for bringing attention to the inaction of the US government on this issue. It makes me very proud to be British, and galvanised as an American."
Meanwhile the Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated actor made an unexpected arrival in the reality-competition realm presenting The Traitors US.
Sporting statement Scottish tartan the actor brings his theatrical past to life in the show as he is meets with the contestants amid the dramatic backdrop of Ardross Castle to share their missions ahead of the mischief beginning.
Series One of the reality game show can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
