John Lydon has declared that he has nothing to do with the re-release of Sex Pistols’ ‘God Save The Queen’ in the week of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The iconic punk rocker, whose band caused controversy by releasing the original during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, revealed in a statement issued today that he has no desire to be a part of the campaign to see the track chart one place higher than it managed in 1977.

He said: "I would like to very strongly distance myself from the recent stories and campaign to push God Save The Queen for the number 1 spot over the Jubilee weekend. It is certainly not my personal plan or aim.

“I am proud of what The Sex Pistols achieved and always will be but this campaign totally undermines what The Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign."

The 56-year-old, who recently reunited with Public Image Ltd to record the band’s first new album in 20 years, continued: “I am pleased that the The Sex Pistols recordings are being put out there for a new generation however I wish for no part in the circus that is being built up around it. I am currently very focused on Public Image Ltd."