Theresa rewards her Brexit allies
THERESA MAY hands gongs to a powerful Parliamentary ally and several pro-Brexit MPs in the New Year honours today.
The chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tories, GrahaM Brady, is awarded a knighthood. A veteran MP and close ally of the PM, he gave her his staunch support after the Tories lost their majority in June’s snap election.
Three other senior backbench Tories – who all backed Leave in the EU referendum – are also honoured.
The awards prompted claims last night that Mrs May was handing out ‘political favours’. But the list was a far cry from FORMER Lib Dem leader NICK CLEGG is knighted, the honours list confirms. The award was first reported by the Daily Mail on Tuesday. The gong is in recognition of his time as deputy PM from 2010 to 2015, the citation said. But it is controversial given that he is an arch Remainer and that his party has been showered with honours in recent years. previous ones. David Cameron was heavily criticised for rewarding an array of donors, advisers and members of his ‘chumocracy’.
By contrast, there are no major Tory donors on today’s list, and none of Mrs May’s former political advisers and spin doctors who lost their jobs after the election were given gongs. There were also knighthoods for two Labour MPs.
Officials said the list reflected Mrs May’s determination to prioritise ‘ voluntary contribution and public service’.
The most notable political name was Sir Graham’s. He is the voice of the Tory backbenches at Westminster. A loyalist, he urged her not to quit after the election and provided critical political support when her enemies were plotting against her this summer.
He has repeatedly backed her to stay on as leader and has said: ‘I want Theresa May to carry on leading the Conservative Party. I have no plans to change that position.’
Last night Sir Graham said: ‘I am delighted. It’s a huge honour. My family are thrilled.’
Two other members of the 1922 Committee executive are also honoured, with vice- chairman Cheryl Gillan being made a dame while treasurer Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is knighted. All three are long-standing MPs with decades behind them in the Commons. All backed Leave in the EU referendum, as did a fourth Tory MP to be honoured, veteran ex- minister Christopher Chope, who is knighted. But the awards for leavers were offset by knighthoods for Nick Clegg and, for Labour, Commons Deputy Speaker lindsay hoyle, and Preston MP Mark hendriCk. There is also a CBE for Lib Dem MP Jo swinson. Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who missed out on an honour despite calls for him to be knighted for his role in campaigning for Brexit, said the awards were for ‘services to the establishment’. But he also praised the gongs given to prominent Leavers. He said: ‘ It’s services to the establishment in a sense. I suppose it’s a relief to see any Leavers on the list. The reason it’s a surprise to see Leavers on the list is previously there haven’t been any. ‘But I don’t think it’s a reward for Brexit, but a reward for work to the party. The Government’s priority is keeping the party together.’ Asked if he would want to be included in a future honours list, MEP Mr Farage replied: ‘It’s never been an aspiration for me but an aspiration for many who support me. What will be will be.’ Sir Geoffrey, MP for The Cotswolds, said: ‘It’s great to be recognised for having worked for a long number of years on behalf of my community. One doesn’t go into becoming a Member of Parliament with the expectation of anything – you are there to do a job, help people, make people’s lives a little easier and better.’ He added: ‘My daughter is about to have a baby so we’ve got a double family celebration.’ Sir Geoffrey said he believed it was ‘completely coincidental’ when asked if Brexit had influenced any of the honours. In October last year Mrs May took a veiled swipe at her predecessor Mr Cameron’s resignation honours list, which was packed with cronies. She argued the awards should go only to those who are ‘really contributing’ to society and that the emphasis should be on those who have run charities or put time and effort into their local communities. Mr Cameron knighted his former spin doctor Craig Oliver, and handed out peerages 13 peerages including to No 10 aides. His wife’s stylist received an OBE.
david leakey, who finishes a seven-year term as Black Rod in Parliament this weekend, is made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) by the Queen.
Cabinet Office mandarins are to investigate after several names on this year’s list including former Beatle Ringo Starr were leaked to the media ahead of today’s official announcement.
Sir Jonathan Stephens, head of the main honours committee, said it was ‘disappointing’ the names had been made public. He added: ‘We have tightened up procedures but we will look again at the system.’ j.doyle@dailymail.co.uk