Tony Blair and John Major criticise The Crown over their portrayals

Two former prime ministers have criticised The Crown over the Netflix show’s depiction of them.

Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major have both spoken out about their portrayal in the programme, which charts the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The upcoming fifth series is expected to show Charles cutting short a holiday with Diana to host a secret meeting with Sir John in 1991 in which they discuss potentially ousting the Queen.

However, in a letter to The Telegraph, the former Conservative prime minister said that “fiction should not be paraded as fact”.

Charles is reportedly shown trying to recruit Sir Tony as an ally to protect his future and pave the way for him to marry Camilla shortly after the 1997 election.

Sir Tony’s spokesperson also told the publication: “It should come as no surprise that this is complete and utter rubbish.”

Last month, Netflix put a disclaimer in the description of its YouTube trailer for the fifth series of the programme saying the production is a “fictionalised dramatisation” and is “inspired by real events”.

In his letter, Sir John criticised Netflix for not putting a disclaimer at the beginning of episodes.

“Netflix may well take the view that any publicity is good publicity,” he wrote.

“But I assure them it is not – especially when it disrespects the memory of those no longer live, or puts words into the mouths of those still living and in no position to defend themselves.

“Fiction should not be paraded as fact.”

Sir John described the portrayals in the programme as “injurious and untrue”.

He said: “I gather Netflix continues to refuse to put out a disclaimer at the top of the opening credits, on the basis that ‘everyone knows this is a drama series’.

“But this is simply not good enough. If everyone knows, why not acknowledge that.

“Without such action, many millions around the world could still be influenced by a damaging and fictional script, which claims ‘authority’ by being interspersed with historical fact.

“Entertainment is a great and glorious industry that brings enormous pleasure to many millions.

“Netflix should not demean it with portrayals which are both injurious and untrue.”