PM has 'abused' honours system after offering knighthoods to four he sacked from Cabinet

PM recommends male former ministers for knighthoods

Women axed from Cabinet are likely to get peerages

Under fire: David Cameron has offered to knight four former ministers he sacked this week

David Cameron was accused last night of bringing the honours system into disrepute after rewarding ministers sacked in his reshuffle.

No 10 slipped out a statement on Wednesday night revealing that the Prime Minister was recommending four male former ministers for knighthoods.

It also emerged that the two women axed from the Cabinet are likely to get peerages.

The knighthoods will go to three Tories – James Paice, Edward Garnier and Gerald Howarth – and one Liberal Democrat, Nick Harvey, even though they have served for only two years.

Both the decision and timing of the announcement have been criticised.

Sir Alistair Graham, former head of the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, said: ‘Why have these been announced separate from the normal twice yearly lists?

‘It is fatal to the dignity and credibility of any honours system if they are seen to be automatic.’



Labour MP Paul Flynn said: ‘The distribution of consolation prizes to sacked ministers is likely to bring the honours system into further disrepute and ridicule.’

Graham Smith, of Republic, which campaigns for reform of the process, said it appeared to be ‘rewards for failure’, adding: ‘It is a straightforward abuse of the system.’

Rewarded: (Clockwise from top left) Edward Garnier, Jim Paice, Gerald Howarth and Nick Harvey have all been put forward by the PM for knighthoods



Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland said it was ‘quite disgraceful’ for dumped ministers to be offered ‘a sweetener of an honour’.

There was anger among female MPs that sacked male ministers had been given gongs while there was nothing for Cheryl Gillan and Caroline Spelman.

Sources said they were furious at their ‘cold and calculating’ treatment.

But No 10 insiders indicated both were likely to get peerages after the next election.

Last week, the Commons Public Administration select committee called for political involvement in the honours system to end.

Mr Cameron steeled his nerves with a glass of wine before sacking ministers, sources said. But they denied he reduced ministers to tears or sacked Mrs Spelman because she was too old at 54.