'Honours system rewards duty and courage - concepts alien to Boris Johnson'

06 March 2023 , 22:25

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Boris Johnson was ousted from Downing Street (Image: Getty Images)

Imagine the pride you must feel. You kneel in front of the King. He taps a sword on your shoulders and instructs you to arise as a knight of the realm.

Or consider how honoured the paramedic Nigel Flanagan must have felt when he was awarded the King’s Ambulance Medal for delivering presents to children in hospital on Christmas Day.

And picture the smile on the face of nanny Louenna Hood when she received her British Empire Medal for raising £190,000 for children fleeing the war in Ukraine.

These are the people the honours system is supposed to recognise: those who have served their country, excelled in their chosen profession, supported their communities and cared for others.

It is there to reward duty, sacrifice, compassion and courage - all concepts utterly alien to Boris Johnson.

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Boris Johnson has nominated his father Stanley (pictured) for a knighthood (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

If the former Prime Minister valued the honours system he would not have nominated his father Stanley for a knighthood.

He would have realised why hearing the words “Arise Sir Stanley” would be an insult to all those worthy of an award.

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Johnson doesn’t care that he is devaluing the system with his 100-strong resignation honours list any more than he appears to care that his father has been accused of sexual harassment and domestic abuse.

He is exercising his right as a former Prime Minister to sprinkle gongs, baubles and medals on his pals, relatives and cronies.

It is time this stain was bleached from British politics (Getty Images)

There is no need for this tawdry tradition. No other profession would reward failure in this way.

Johnson was ousted from Downing Street because he brought his office into disrepute.

Liz Truss was forced to resign after crashing the economy.

Despite their ignominious exits they are still entitled to draw up resignation honours lists.

Even the Roman Emperor Caligula, who wanted to make his horse a consul, had less shame when it came to exploiting the power of patronage.

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Tory donors are given peerages. Political allies are bunged knighthoods. In David Cameron’s case there was even a gong for his wife’s stylist.

This is a form of corruption taking place in plain sight. It’s seedy, indefensible and offensive. And it’s time this stain was bleached from British politics.

Jason Beattie