Knopfler said Lord Banner “dismissively suggested the objectors included a local rock star, perhaps hoping to conjure the image of a spoilt multi-millionaire living in a large manor house with no interest in those in need of housing”.
Addressing the planning inquiry being held at Teignbridge District Council offices, Knopfler said: “I would just like the record to show that while I’m proud of my lifelong achievements as a rather more humble musician, the reality is I’m a 73-year-old pensioner, an economics graduate and former social worker living in a semi-detached, who happened to spend three years in a rock band almost fifty years ago.”
He described the development as “a textbook definition of urban blight”.
He added: “I’ve spent my entire life being misrepresented like this so it came as no surprise that this would be thrown opportunistically into their claim.”
Knopfler set up the band with brother Mark and played on hit singles including Sultans of Swing but left the band before it achieved global success with tracks like Money for Nothing and Walk of Life.