Malcolm McLaren's son to burn his £5 million punk memorabilia collection in Camden

As London celebrates the 40th anniversary of punk Agent Provocateur co-founder Joe Corré, son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and designer Vivienne Westwood, has announced he will burn his £5m collection of punk memorabilia in Camden. Corré’s act is a reaction to the legacy left left by his father’s Anarchy in the UK by the Sex Pistols, which was released on 26 November 1976.

“The Queen giving 2016, the Year of Punk, her official blessing is the most frightening thing I’ve ever heard," says Joe. “Talk about alternative and punk culture being appropriated by the mainstream. Rather than a movement for change, punk has become like a fucking museum piece or a tribute act.”

Joe sees parallels between the contemporary political climate and 1976 when punk emerged. “A general malaise has now set in amongst the British public. People are feeling numb. And with numbness comes complacency,” he says. “People don’t feel they have a voice anymore.”

The BFI, the British Library, the Design Museum,The Photographers’ Gallery, Rough Trade, and the Roundhouse are all backing 2016 as the 40th anniversary of Punk – after Punk London received a £99,000 grant from the Lottery Fund. Joe is encouraging others to join him in November and contribute their own memorabilia to the pyre.