06 March 2023 , 21:46
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Boris Johnson has sparked disbelief by putting up his own dad for a knighthood in a resignation honours list packed with cronies and Tory donors.
The shameless former PM was accused of trashing a system there to reward honest, selfless people, not a disgraced relative mired in claims he groped women.
One MP said: “He is making a mockery of the honours system.” Rishi Sunak has been urged to block the award.
Shameless Mr Johnson was tonight accused of making a mockery of the honours system by nominating his own dad to become a knight of the realm.
The move sparked fury, with many asking how an alleged wife-beater accused of groping women could land an honour usually given to those who toil selflessly for the common good.
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And Rishi Sunak was under pressure to block Mr Johnson Snr’s proposed gong. It was one of 100 requests on the ousted PM’s resignation honours list, packed with cronies and rich donors.
Stanley Johnson is evicted from the I'M A Celeb... jungle in 2017 (James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock)
Author Tom Bower accused Stanley of breaking the nose of his late wife and Boris’s mother, Charlotte Wahl (Andrew Parsons / i-Images)As a YouGov poll found 52% of voters believe his dad should not get one, Lib Dem chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: “Honours should be reserved for those who’ve gone above and beyond to contribute to our country.
“Boris Johnson’s attempt to bestow that recognition on his father makes a mockery of the whole thing.”
She urged the PM to veto his honours list if future ones “are to have any shred of credibility”. Labour leader Keir Starmer added: “An ex-PM bestowing honours on his dad, for services to what? It’s classic of a man like Johnson. I mean, I think the public will think this is outrageous.”
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “It speaks to a pattern of Boris Johnson’s behaviour around cronyism.”
Even Tories turned on their former boss. One said: “What is he getting it for? The resignation honours aren’t to reward your family.”
If you can't see the poll, click here
Former Cabinet minister Rory Stewart added: “It’s out of order. His father should not be a knight.”
SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said: “He is making a mockery of the honours system, just like he made a mockery of British politics. The idea that he could nominate his father for a knighthood and think he could get away with it sums up the arrogance of the man.
“His honours list should be scrapped. This corrupt, crony-ridden system is outdated.”
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Keir Starmer is outraged (PA)Mr Johnson, axed in September over illegal Covid parties and a bid to protect his deputy chief whip over allegations he acted inappropriately, has taken the unusual step of proposing four sitting MPs for crony peerages in his swollen list.
They are mega-fan Nadine Dorries, Scotland Secretary Alister Jack, ex-COP 26 President Alok Sharma and former minister Nigel Adams.
They are believed to have agreed to defer accepting the honours until the next election to prevent by-elections.
Former MEP Mr Johnson, 82 – who appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2017 – has been accused of inappropriate behaviour towards two women.
Caroline Nokes accuses Stanley of smacking her on the bottom (pixel8000)He insisted he had “no recollection” of either incident. He was also accused in a book of breaking his wife’s nose in the 70s, which he said he “deeply regretted” and was never violent again.
He did not respond to requests for comment from the Mirror last night.
Mr Johnson’s daughter Rachel shamelessly defended her brother’s decision to offer her dad an honour, it is thought for his conservation work.
She said: “If my brother hadn’t been PM, I think my father could have been in line for recognition in his own right.”
New Statesman journalist Ailbhe Rea accused Stanley of groping her at the 2019 Tory conferenceMr Johnson previously made brother Jo, an ex-Tory minister, a peer. He is now Lord Johnson of Marylebone.
A spokesman for Boris Johnson said: “We don’t comment on honours.”
The PM’s official spokesman said: “There are long standing rules that guard the honours process. There’s no plans to change those that I’m aware of. It is a matter of fact that outgoing Prime Ministers are able to nominate people in this way.”