"This nation was lifted by winning the Ashes - it was a fantastic feat, as was winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003, " said Caborn.

BBC: Vaughan was awarded an OBE for his part in the 2005 Ashes

"Seemingly, if the government were speeding up these applications then the process didn't work very well - because nobody got one, " said Mr Caborn.

BBC: Football 'obsession' denied

Mr Caborn, sports minister under the previous Labour government, said it would be "daft" to knock the Olympic Stadium down and then rebuild it - and said Tottenham should build closer to its White Hart Lane home.

BBC: Olympic stadium