Downing Street has shamelessly published Liz Truss’s resignation honours list at the same time as the New Years’ honours, in what appears to be an attempt to divert attention away from the controversial awards.
The decision to allow the former Prime Minister the traditional privilege of handing out the honours attracted criticism, as she was in office for just 49 days.
There were calls for Rishi Sunak to block the move given the short-lived nature of her premiership.
The long-delayed list was published by the Government this evening at the same time as a number of separate New Year Honours.
Tory donor Sir Jon Moynihan, who has been recommended for a peerage after being nominated by former prime minister Liz Truss,
PA
Truss recommended Tory donor Sir Jon Moynihan, her deputy chief of staff in Number 10 Ruth Porter and former chief executive of the Vote Leave Brexit campaign Matthew Elliott for peerages.
Sir John donated £20,000 to Truss’s leadership campaign in 2021.
Novelist Shirley Ida Conran, who is also on the list, donated £5,000 to the former PM.
Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke was recommended for a knighthood for his political service as Minister of State for Defence Procurement.
Meanwhile fellow MP Jacqueline Doyle-Price has been recommended for a damehood following her service as Minister of State for Industry.
Speaking on publication of the honours list, Truss said: “I am delighted these champions for the conservative causes of freedom, limited government and a proud and sovereign Britain have been suitably honoured.”
Former chief executive of the Vote Leave Brexit campaign Matthew Elliott is nominated for a peerage
PA
Novelist Shirley Ida Conran donated £5,000 to the former PM
PA
But Labour branded the list a “slap in the face to working people” while the Liberal Democrats have dubbed it a “shameless move”.
Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow cabinet office minister, said: “This list is proof positive of Rishi Sunak’s weakness and a slap in the face to working people who are paying the price of the Tories crashing the economy.
“Honours should be for those committed to public service, not rewards for Tory failure. Rather than apologise for crashing the economy and driving up mortgages rates, costing families thousands, Rishi Sunak has nodded through these tarnished gongs because he is too weak to lead a Tory Party completely out of touch with working people.”
While Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “This shameless move to reward Liz Truss’s car crash cronies is matched only by Sunak’s weakness in failing to block it.
“Truss handing out gongs after blowing a hole in the public finances and leaving families reeling from spiralling mortgage costs calls this whole honours system into disrepute.
“The honours system should celebrate hardworking people who have achieved great things; sullying this celebration shows just how out of touch this Conservative Government really is.”
The Government’s New Years’ Honours list saw England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and Game of Thrones actor Emilia Clarke are among the stars of sport, stage and screen recognised in the New Year Honours list, while the Archbishop of Canterbury leads those rewarded for their work on the King’s coronation.
Singer Dame Shirley Bassey, who has sold more than 135 million records, is made Companion of Honour for her services to music, becoming the 64th living member of the order which can only have 65 members at any one time.
Director and producer Sir Ridley Scott, whose works include Gladiator, Alien and Napoleon, is made a Knight Grand Cross, upgrading his previous knighthood, while author Jilly Cooper becomes a dame.
Other notable names in the list include England cricketer Stuart Broad, who is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) following his retirement; singer Leona Lewis, who becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); and author Kate Mosse, who is also made a CBE.
