Jo Cox hero gets medal for bravery

The policeman killed after confronting the Westminster attacker outside parliament and the heroic passer-by stabbed trying to protect MP Jo Cox have been awarded medals for their bravery.

Their recognition came as actress Julie Walters was made a dame in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Oscar-winner Olivia de Havilland, who turns 101 next month, is the oldest woman to become a dame in this centenary year of the modern-day honours system.

Those honoured from the world of entertainment include north-east singer Emeli Sande, who receives an MBE for services to music.

Judy Murray, mother of tennis champion Andy, is given an OBE for services to tennis, women in sport and charity.

In a break with tradition, the Queen’s Civilian Gallantry List has been released at the same time as the monarch’s birthday honours.

Police Constable Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death by attacker Khalid Masood in March on the forecourt of the Palace of Westminster, is posthumously awarded the George Medal for confronting an armed terrorist to protect others and parliament.

Bernard Kenny, who was stabbed in the abdomen as he tried to stop neo-Nazi Thomas Mair attacking Mrs Cox outside her constituency surgery in Yorkshire, receives the George Medal one year on from the murder.

The separate Queen’s Birthday Honours list is led by Sir Billy Connolly, Dame Julie and Dame Olivia.

Bafta award winner Dame Julie, 67, and Gone

“Sir Paul McCartney is upgraded with a Companion of Honour”

With The Wind starlet Dame Olivia are both honoured for their services to drama.

Twenty years after he was knighted by the Queen, Sir Paul McCartney is upgraded with a Companion of Honour for services to music, alongside author JK Rowling.

Former SAS soldier and author Andy McNab receives a CBE for services to literacy and charity, while broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky is given an OBE for services to Holocaust commemoration.

Sporting stars honoured include double Olympic champion and Army Major Heather Stanning, formerly of Lossiemouth, who gets an OBE for services to rowing.