Cover-up’ on Boycott gong
EXCLUSIVE
DOWNING Street has been accused of a cover-up over the controversial knighthood for Geoffrey Boycott.
The Sunday People tried to learn if the ex-cricketer’s domestic violence conviction was discussed before Theresa May awarded his gong.
And campaigners are furious after the Government dismissed the request, made under Freedom of Information laws.
It came despite previous disclosures being made, under the rules, over the background to Jimmy Savile being knighted.
Shadow policing minister Louise Haigh said: “What exactly has the Government got to hide? Did Ministers discuss his domestic violence conviction before dismissing it? The public, and women who know all too well how the pain of domestic abuse is minimised, have a right to know.”
Former Yorkshire and England star Boycott, 78, was convicted in a French court in 1998 of attacking his then girlfriend Margaret Moore. There was outrage when it emerged in September that cricket fan Mrs May had put him on her resignation honours list.
The Cabinet Office said the “confidentiality of the honours nomination process is a crucial part of maintaining its integrity, without which it could not function”.
But in 2013 the same office revealed senior civil servants had repeatedly warned former PM Margaret Thatcher about the risks of knighting paedophile Savile.
The details, which included one official describing the broadcaster as a “strange and complex man” were released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The documents showed that Thatcher pressed for recognition of Savile’s charity work.
Officials talked of the depraved celebrity’s “manner of life” and fears he would exploit the honour.
But Savile, a friend of the former PM, got the nod in 1990.
Boycott has said could not “give a toss” about criticism of his gong. The Cabinet Office declined to comment on the honour.
But a source said: “Resignation honours are a matter for the outgoing Prime Minister”.