ANGER AT PLAN TO MAKE NICK CLEGG A KNIGHT
ANGER erupted last night after it emerged that Nick Clegg is expected to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List.
The former Lib Dem leader and EU supporter is set to become “Sir Nick” when the annual list of gongs is announced on Saturday, according to sources in his party.
His award is understood to be in recognition of his five years of service as deputy prime minister in David Cameron’s coalition government.
Mr Clegg appears on course to follow other former Lib Dem ministers, including current party leader Sir Vince Cable and former home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey, in accepting a knighthood.
The revelation provoked fury among Ukip supporters yesterday given that their former leader Nigel Farage has been repeatedly snubbed for an honour, despite his key role in securing the Brexit decision that will change the course of British history.
Resentment
David Kurten, a Ukip member of the London Assembly, wrote on Twitter: “UK establishment to knight Nick Clegg and Vince Cable, but ignores Nigel Farage.
“Says it all about the people in charge. Time to drain the swamp.”
Former Ukip deputy leader Peter Whittle tweeted: “Satire is dead.”
A Lib Dem spokesman declined to comment on the report.
Since losing his Sheffield Hallam parliamentary seat in last June’s general election, Mr Clegg has infuriated Leave supporters with his book entitled How To Stop Brexit (And Make Britain Great Again).
He also sparked outrage by travelling to Brussels with other leading Remain campaigners to meet chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
The latest Honours List leak follows reports that former Beatle Ringo Starr is in line for a knighthood. Last week, Mr Farage complained about being overlooked for an honour and blamed resentment towards Brexit supporters within Westminster.
He said: “Of course I have not got an honour of any kind – I am not a Remainer. Every one of them got CBEs, they got knighthoods, quite extraordinary.”
Other former Lib Dem ministers who have been knighted include Danny Alexander and Steve Webb.
But Mr Clegg’s expected honour may lead to some surprise among Palace courtiers as he was once ticked off by the Queen at a private lunch for his EU enthusiasm.
The monarch was reported to have told him that Europe was going in the wrong direction during the private lunch at Windsor Castle in 2011.