Outcry follows leak of David Cameron’s bid to reward Tory donors

Last Updated: August 1, 2016By
David Cameron recommended awards for more than 40 of his allies, according to the leak [Image: Tolga Akmen/LNP/Rex/Shutterstock].

David Cameron recommended awards for more than 40 of his allies, according to the leak [Image: Tolga Akmen/LNP/Rex/Shutterstock].

The leaked information is nothing more than we could expect, really – Cameron corruption has been a part of the honours system for years.

It is Theresa May’s response that will be the important sign here.

Will she act to end the cronyism that has dogged the Conservative Party – or will she add to it, tarnishing her own reputation almost before she’s had a chance to make one?

Theresa May is facing calls to block honours for No 10 “cronies” after a leaked list revealed David Cameron has requested knighthoods for party donors, pro-EU campaigners and political aides.

Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians called for an overhaul of the system as it emerged one of Cameron’s last acts in office was to propose rewards for more than 40 allies, including four cabinet ministers and donors to the Conservatives and the EU remain campaign.

One of the most controversial knighthoods named on the list is proposed for Ian Taylor, an oil executive who gave almost £1m to the Conservatives in the past 18 months and helped fund the campaigns against Scottish independence and in favour of the EU. Andrew Cook, an engineering businessman who donated the use of a private jet to Cameron before the 2010 election and donated about £250,000 to the remain campaign, is similarly in line for a knighthood.

According to the leak, Cameron recommended awards for more than 20 Downing Street advisers and staff and knighthoods for the pro-EU cabinet ministers Philip Hammond, Michael Fallon, Patrick McLoughlin and David Lidington. George Osborne, Cameron’s closest political friend, who lost his job as chancellor after helping run the unsuccessful remain campaign, was put forward to become a companion of honour.

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 is said to include proposed OBEs for the Downing Street aide Isabel Spearman, a former PR for a luxury handbag designer who assisted Samantha Cameron with her diary, official parties and outfits for engagements, and for Osborne’s aide Thea Rogers, an ex-BBC producer.

Source: Theresa May called on to stop culture of honours for No 10 ‘cronies’ | Politics | The Guardian

ADVERT




Join the Vox Political Facebook page.

If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!

Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(
but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:

Donate Button with Credit Cards

Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.

Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:

HWG PrintHWG eBook

The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:

SWAHTprint SWAHTeBook

latest video

news via inbox

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

9 Comments

  1. Roland August 1, 2016 at 8:25 am - Reply

    The system wants a total change and they should be elected

  2. chriskitcher August 1, 2016 at 8:51 am - Reply

    Looking at this action together with the incompetence now being uncovered in respect of the Hinckly Point deal I feel that the majority of decisions made by Camoron and his cronies need to be revieved in detail before they are allowed to go too far to the detriment of the country.

    This list only serves to indicate how unfit for the position of Prime Minister that this incompetent was and is.

  3. Tim August 1, 2016 at 9:36 am - Reply

    I wonder if Iain Duncan Smith will ever end up in the House of Lords?

    • chriskitcher August 1, 2016 at 10:38 am - Reply

      if there is any fairness in this country he should end up in prison.

    • Michael Broadhurst August 1, 2016 at 12:02 pm - Reply

      house of Satan !!

  4. Michael Broadhurst August 1, 2016 at 12:13 pm - Reply

    think you’ve already had your answer to this Mike.

  5. mrmarcpc August 2, 2016 at 12:43 pm - Reply

    You can cry out as much as you want to but it will go ahead!

  6. Dez August 2, 2016 at 7:45 pm - Reply

    Well we all now know the new broom Mays robust response to this cosy little handout by her former boss. Totally diddly squat and nodding approval….yet another Tory muppet leader. Even the No. 10’s cat got a knighthood. This whole system is total excrement.

  7. NMac August 3, 2016 at 9:31 am - Reply

    It was always fairly common knowledge that Cameron and his cronies were corrupt. This really confirms what many of us thought was the case.

Leave A Comment