Boycott’s delight at calls for a knighthood

Reports emerged over the weekend that Home Secretary Theresa May had supported a campaign for the honour to be bestowed on the batsman-turned-cricket commentator but the move was reportedly halted by the Cabinet Office.

Having kept quiet on those reports, Mr Boycott used his Twitter account today to make his feelings known and tell “his side of the story”.

The 74-year-old was given a three-month suspended sentence and £5,000 fine by a French court in 1996 for punching his then partner.

He tweeted: “I’m delighted that so many people thought I deserved a knighthood and sad that it can be blocked for something I didn’t do.

“Unfortunately 18 yrs ago I was wrongly accused by a bad person. I tried to clear my name in France but under Napoleonic law once accused you are guilty until you can definitively prove your innocence. This is the opposite of English Law. I have to live with this injustice - and I do...

“I am frank and forthright but don’t have and never will have a history of violence. Thank you again to all my supporters.”

Mr Boycott was awarded an OBE in 1980.