Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UKSign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight
Boris Johnson has been accused of discrediting the honours system with an “absolutely outrageous” move to put forward his father Stanley for a knighthood.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said that move – one of up 100 names reportedly nominated for honours by the former Tory prime minister – was “ridiculous”.
“The idea that Boris Johnson is nominating his dad for a knighthood – you only need to say it to realise just how ridiculous it is,” Sir Keir told a LBC radio phone-in.
“It’s classic of a man like Johnson. I mean, I think the public will just think this is absolutely outrageous,” adding: “The idea of an ex-prime minister bestowing honours on his dad – for services to what?”
The Times newspaper first reported that the former prime minister, who was kicked out of No 10 by the Tory party last September, has nominated Stanley Johnson for a knighthood.
A spokesperson for the Mr Johnson said: “We don’t comment on honours.”
Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting claimed Mr Johnson had “discredited the honours system, discredited the office of prime minister”.
Mr Streeting: “Given Boris Johnson’s conduct, you might argue that Stanley Johnson has got a lot to answer for, actually.”
SNP MP Tommy Sheppard accused Mr Johnson of “arrogance” and said he was “making a mockery of the honours system – just like he a made a mockery of British politics”.
Any honour for Mr Johnson’s father would raise fresh questions for the former Tory leader, who has already faced accusations of cronyism after nominating his brother Jo Johnson for a peerage in 2020.
In 2021, senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes and a journalist publicly accused Stanley Johnson – a former MEP who campaigns on the environment – of touching them at Tory party conferences.
Ms Nokes accused Johnson Snr. of forcefully smacking her on the backside and making a vulgar comment at the conference in 2003. He said he had “no recollection” of either incident.
The 82-year-old, who campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU at the Brexit vote, became a French citizen after applying in 2021. Mr Johnson told The Independent at the time that it was a “very nice gesture” of the authorities in France.
Mr Johnson’s resignations honours list has proved highly controversial. He is thought to have chosen more than a dozen of his closest allies for peerages – including Nadine Dorries and Scottish secretary Alister Jack.
Previous reports have indicated he is also putting forward former assistant Charlotte Owens, in her late 20s, and 30-year-old aide Ross Kempsell, who previously worked for TalkTV.
Mr Johnson’s list is currently being vetted by the Cabinet Office. Top officials in Rishi Sunak are said to have concerns about the size of the list and some of those put forward by the former PM.
The latest row comes as Tory MPs accused Mr Johnson of acting like Donald Trump in his efforts to undermine the Partygate inquiry into whether he lied to parliament.
The former prime minister is under growing pressure after the privileges committee released a report saying it would have been “obvious” to Mr Johnson that No 10 gatherings breached Covid restrictions.
Mr Johnson said it was “surreal” that the committee of MPs relied on evidence from Sue Gray – the top civil servant set to be appointed Sir Keir’s chief of staff.
Tobias Ellwood, Tory chair of the defence select committee, said: “If we now stay united and disciplined we could win the general election, but not if this latest distraction turns into a Trumpian drag anchor.”
A senior Tory MP told The Observer about the claims made by Mr Johnson and allies: “They have gone full Trump. It is wicked. Where will this end? They are desperate.”
