More peerages for Tories – and Cable knighted

DOWNING Street is preparing to announce a string of peerages for Tory advisers and donors – risking further allegations of cronyism.

David Cameron is expected to send Kate Fall, his long-standing ‘gatekeeper’, to the House of Lords as part of the dissolution honours list. Among others set to receive a peerage are Philippa Stroud, a former special adviser to Iain Duncan Smith and the architect of his welfare reforms.

Simone Finn, an adviser to Francis Maude on Whitehall efficiency and trade union reform, and Stuart Polak, a director of Conservative Friends of Israel, which has made large donations to the Tories in recent years, are also tipped to be ennobled.

They are expected to be among more than 50 new peers, including around 40 Tories, who will be named this week along with a list announcing other honours.

This is thought to include knighthoods for former Lib Dem ministers Vince Cable, pictured, and Danny Alexander, who are reported to have turned down peerages.