Tory donors ‘set to miss out on peerages’ as Sir Ian Botham, ex-Tory Ken Clarke and former Labour MP Frank Field ‘lead Boris Johnson’s first anniversary honours list’
- A trio of Tory Party donors could be set to miss out on PM’s anniversary honours
- Reports suggest a list of 30 new peers will be published in the coming weeks
- The list is expected to include Sir Ian Botham, Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond
A trio of Conservative Party donors could be set to miss out on peerages in Boris Johnson’s first anniversary honours list.
A list of approximately 30 new peers is expected to be published in the coming weeks to mark Mr Johnson’s first completed year in Downing Street.
The list is likely to be headlined by England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham while former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke and ex-Labour veteran Frank Field are also expected to be included.
A list of approximately 30 new peers is expected to be published in the coming days as part of Boris Johnson’s first anniversary as PM honours. He is pictured during a visit to a Kent school today
However, The Telegraph reported that three Tory donors were on the list of candidates submitted to decision-makers on the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
They were city financiers Peter Cruddas and Michal Spencer as well as businessman Johnny Leavesley.
But the newspaper said Mr Cruddas and Mr Leavesley have been taken off the list and could be submitted for a future one while the status of Mr Spencer is unclear.
The list is likely to feature a large number of former MPs who will be elevated to the upper chamber.
Four former Labour MPs could make the cut, with Brexiteer Gisela Stuart, Ian Austin and John Woodcock likely to join Mr Field.
Philip Hammond, the former Tory chancellor who did not contest the 2019 general election after he was stripped of the party whip following a row over Brexit, is likely to be on the list.
Mr Hammond will be ennobled alongside his fellow former occupant of Number 11 Downing Street, Mr Clarke, while former culture minister Ed Vaizey could also get the nod.
However, nominations put forward by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for John Bercow, Karie Murphy and Tom Watson were apparently rejected by the appointments watchdog.
Reports that Sir Ian will be made a peer came as a surprise to many Westminster watchers.
Sir Ian Botham (pictured in 2015) grinned when he was approached by The Mail on Sunday at his £2 million mansion and asked whether he is to be ennobled
The England cricket star seemed to confirm at the weekend that he is set to be installed in the House of Lords.
He grinned when he was approached by The Mail on Sunday at his £2 million mansion when he was asked whether he is to be ennobled.
‘I’m not allowed to speak about this – when it’s all officially announced I will be more than happy to do so,’ he said, adding: ‘Just come and bang on the door and if I’m in I’ll talk to you.’
The 64-year-old is a sporting hero of Mr Johnson and backed the PM during the EU referendum campaign, speaking at several pro-Leave events.