Yvette Cooper urges rule change for Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow knighthoods
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged Whitehall’s honours committee to scrap its stuffy protocol so Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow can be knighted.
Burrow was awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for raising awareness of motor neurone disease, while Sinfield became an OBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours for raising cash for MND charities.
But red tape means the ex-Leeds Rhinos’ rugby league legends’ elevation to Sirs could be delayed for up to three years.
Calls are mounting for the bureaucracy blocking their elevation to be scrapped or set aside.
In a letter seen exclusively by the Mirror, Ms Cooper - Burrow’s local MP in Castleford, West Yorkshire - tells the Honours and Appointments Secretariat she “strongly supports” the campaign to knight them.
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Yvette Cooper has urged Whitehall's honours committee to rip up the red tape (Humphrey Nemar/daily mirror)“Rob has rightly been recognised through an MBE but the power of what he and Kevin have done means they should be both given knighthoods,” she writes.
“Can I also urge you to set aside any traditional timescales between honours - especially in Rob’s case as he continues to battle against MND?”
Her intervention came amid a growing revolt from across the political spectrum against the rules delaying the knighthoods.
Conservative backbencher Andrew Lewer, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on MND, told the Mirror: “There are few more inspiring individuals in sport than Rob and Kevin.
Conservative Andrew Lewer chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Motor Neurone Disease (Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament (Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)))“Just as it has been my honour to meet Rob on several occasions in Parliament now, as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for MND, I very much hope he can receive the honour he richly deserves and that Kevin too may see his existing OBE advanced to a knighthood.”
Labour’s Nick Smith, who is a vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rugby League, said: “Like so many I have been moved by the heroism of Rob and Kevin - it is one of those stories that come along every once in a while that restores your faith.
“MND is one of the cruellest health conditions.
Labour's Nick Smith backed the campaign (Gwent Gazette)
Kevin Sinfield kisses Rob Burrow as he carries him across the finish line of the Leeds Marathon (PA)‘Whitehall should recognise the work that has been done to raise funds and awareness, properly value these working class heroes and put aside the protocol.
“A knighthood should highlight the very best of us, so the honours system needs to turn over a lot quicker this time.”
Conservative MP Mark Pawsey, who represents Rugby, Warks, and is also a vice-chairman of the Rugby League APPG, said: “We all think that rugby players are indestructible, both physically and emotionally, but Rob Burrow shows that anyone can be affected by motor neurone disease.
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“Kevin Sinfield has demonstrated extraordinary friendship and camaraderie, and raised a staggering amount for charity.
“Both men are exceptional in different ways and deserve high praise and honour.”
Burrow, 40, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019 - triggering a mammoth fundraising effort by his best mate Sinfield, 42.
In late 2020, he completed seven marathons in seven days and in 2021 he ran 101 miles in 24 hours.
He ran seven back-to-back ultra marathons in November.
Yvette Cooper (far left) with Rob Burrow at an event in ParliamentSinfield won new fans last month when he stopped short of the finish at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon to carry his friend and former Leeds, England and Great Britain teammate over the line - an image which went around the world and left many in tears.
Oldham-born Sinfield has raised more than £8million for MND charities.
Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, Jim McMahon, said: “The Oldham community is rightly proud of our hero Kevin Sinfield and it’s therefore not a surprise that he is being talked about for a knighthood.
“I can’t think of many more deserving recipients and I’m sure many will hope that there’s a way to make this happen.”
The Honours and Appointments Secretariat is part of the Cabinet Office, which was contacted for comment.
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