Former Prime Minister David Cameron was yesterday accused of “cronyism pure and simple” after a leaked list of his resignation honours showed he had nominated almost 50 close aides, allies and Conservative donors for gongs.
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A controversial oil executive who donated £500,000 to the Better Together campaign is among key allies of David Cameron recommended for honours, according to a leaked list seen by the Sunday Times.
It also reveals that four Cabinet ministers – David Lidington, Patrick McLoughlin, Philip Hammond and Michael Fallon – could be rewarded with knighthoods.
Tory donors Ian Taylor and Andrew Cook, who both funded the Remain campaign, are set to receive knighthoods. I’m surprised Larry the cat didn’t get one.
Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, added: “A lot of prime ministers have done dissolution honours in which they look after their friends, but Mr Cameron has gone well over the top”.
Among those reported to be recommended for OBEs is Isabel Spearman, who helped Samantha Cameron with her diary and outfits for various engagements.
Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, was scathing about the award of honours for what he dubbed “David Cameron’s old boys’ network”.
There was also criticism over a proposed CBE for Will Straw, the chief executive of the failed cross-party pro-EU campaign, who is the son of the former home secretary Jack Straw and a former Labour parliamentary candidate. “It’s cronyism, pure and simple and proof the Tories will always put their own interests before those of the country”.
David Cameron has been accused of “cronyism” by Labour after an apparent leak of his resignation honours list.
The MSP said that suggestions the granting of the honours had been held up due to “ethical concerns over some of the nominees” were particularly striking and cast even further doubt over the former PM’s judgement.
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“Many people voted leave out of sheer frustration at an out-of-touch political elite”. “I’m disappointed that the former prime minister should use the system to slap his friends on the back. A strong and effective opposition under my leadership would put an end to that”.
