ritics pointed to a series of scandals including the collapse of several rape trials

An honour for former chief prosecutor Alison Saunders sparked a 'rewards for failure' row last night.

She was made a Dame for services to criminal justice despite being branded 'probably the worst DPP [director of public prosecutions] ever'.

In her honours citation, Dame Alison was described as having given 'unstinting public service' to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), where she worked for more than 30 years.

But critics pointed to a series of scandals on her watch, including the collapse of several rape trials over prosecutors' failure to disclose evidence, and Operation Elveden, a 'witch hunt' against journalists that cost £20million.

Former chief prosecutor Alison Saunders sparked a 'rewards for failure' row last night

Dame Alison quit the post last year after the series of controversies including the collapse of a series of rape trials due to the late disclosure of evidence, leading to a review of every rape case in the country.

Criminal QC Daniel Janner, son of the late Labour peer Lord Janner who faced child abuse allegations, told the PA news agency: 'She was the worst DPP in living memory, she completely made a hash of my innocent late father's ridiculous allegations.

'These have now proved to be false like the allegation that 'Nick' made and she presumed guilt and introduced, followed or continued a policy of all victims are to be automatically believed.

'As a result of this policy, it led to huge injustices against many well-known people and not-so well-known people - people like my late father, Paul Gambaccini, Harvey Proctor, and Lord Brittan and many, many others.

'This is an appalling honour which brings the honours system into disrepute.'

Dame Alison told The Times that her honour was for '30 years of public service' and said she did not know why she had not received an honour when departing the CPS.

In her honours citation, Dame Alison was described as having given 'unstinting public service' to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), where she worked for more than 30 years

She told the paper it was unfair to describe the honour as a 'reward for failure', saying: 'Disclosure is an issue that has been in the criminal justice system for the past 20 or so years.

'If you look at the record for the past six years all the indicators show the CPS was performing as well, if not better, than when I took it over despite [financial] cuts of a third.'

The CPS said there was enough evidence to merit prosecution in Lord Janner's case but that it was not in the public interest to proceed - a decision which was overturned, only for the elderly former MP to be found unfit to stand trial shortly before his death in 2015.

Barrister Jonathan Goldberg QC also criticised the honour. He said that it would be viewed as a 'bad joke'

Other senior figures to be handed honours include John Manzoni, the chief executive of the civil service, and NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens, who receive knighthoods.

There are damehoods for Lib Dem peer Baroness Floella Benjamin for services to charity and Ofcom boss Sharon White.

Former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies received an even higher honour, becoming Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

Dame Alison was expected to receive her honour last year in the months after she left the CPS, raising speculation it had been blocked.

Last night backbench Tory MP Nigel Evans said he was 'bitterly disappointed' by the decision.

He said: 'A lot of people have been wrongly accused when she was leading the charge. She created a lot of victims, who are still suffering from being wrongfully accused. This creates another injustice on top of the injustices.'

Barrister Jonathan Goldberg QC also criticised the honour. He said: 'This will be viewed as a bad joke. She is seen by us as probably the worst DPP ever. She has presided over a terrible demoralisation within the CPS, disaster after disaster in the field of sex crimes and disclosure.'

Decisions as to who receives honours is made by the queen who is advised by the prime minister and specialist committees.

While mayor of London Boris Johnson confronted Dame Alison during a radio phone-in, questioning her refusal to bring charges of child abuse against Lord Janner of Braunstone because he was suffering from Dementia.

The case was revisited with Lord Janner charged, but he died before a trial could be held.

Suspicions that Dame Alison's honour may have been at the hands of Theresa May could arise due to the timing of the award, reports The Times.

Dany Cotton stood down early from the role this week

Snub for ex-fire chief criticised over Grenfell

The former commissioner of the London Fire Brigade has been overlooked in the New Year's Honours list amid ongoing controversy over her handling of the Grenfell tragedy.

Dany Cotton stood down early from the role this week following criticism of the service's decision to issue stay-put advice to residents at the tower block during the blaze.

Serving or outgoing chiefs of the service are normally handed awards – either while in the post or as they step down.

But sources said yesterday that nobody connected with the Grenfell tragedy would be singled out for an honour before the public inquiry into the disaster is concluded.