David Cameron has used today's Queen's birthday honours to dish out gongs to Remain supporters.

At least 20 business chiefs and luvvies backing his campaign to keep Britain in the EU have been handed knighthoods or other accolades.

Gisela Stuart, a senior Labour MP, described the situation as 'bordering on the corrupt'. The honours row came as:

A poll giving Brexit a ten-point lead caused panic within the Remain camp;

After a mauling by an audience of young voters, the Prime Minister admitted he had to do 'a lot more to convince people' of his case;

He condoned a brutal personal assault on Boris Johnson led by the pro-Brussels energy secretary Amber Rudd;

A Tory minister apologised for suggesting that voters had no right to defy their elected leaders over the EU.

Among those handed a knighthood is Damon Buffini, a private equity boss who has helped bankroll the In campaign. Fellow donor John Armitage receives a CBE.

David Cameron has used today's Queen's birthday honours to dish out gongs to at least 20 business chiefs backing his campaign to keep Britain in the EU

Prominent individuals who signed pro-Brussels letters coordinated by Downing Street have also been honoured. They include Innocent drinks founder Richard Reed, who is deputy chairman of Britain Stronger in Europe.

Mr Reed, who describes the EU as 'fantastic', is rewarded with a CBE.

Downing Street last night denied handing out honours in return for support in the bitter referendum battle.

But the honours list appears to confirm predictions from former British Chambers of Commerce boss John Longworth, who quit his post after No 10 complained about his pro-Brexit stance. He said in March that Downing Street had a number of ways of persuading business chiefs to sign supportive letters, including the offer of honours.

'Some organisations want a government contract,' he said. 'You can go down the list. Some corporate chiefs want a gong. Others are foreign or multinational and other pressure can be applied.'

Mrs Stuart, who chairs the Vote Leave campaign, accused Mr Cameron of abusing the power of patronage to skew the referendum debate in his favour.

'David Cameron and George Osborne have used every single ounce of their power to try to bully and frighten the British people into backing their campaign to keep us in the EU,' she said.

Among those handed a knighthood is Damon Buffini (pictured), a private equity boss who has helped bankroll the In campaign

Prominent individuals who signed pro-Brussels letters have also been honoured, including Innocent drinks founder Richard Reed (pictured), who is deputy chairman of Britain Stronger in Europe

'But abusing our honours system to reward campaign cronies and donors is a new low.

'People in this country are sick of the Establishment doing these shabby stitch-ups and will view this as bordering on the corrupt.'

No 10 rejected the claims, pointing out that the honours lists were drawn up in January and February before the referendum campaign had started.

A Government source said: 'This is an independent process and people from both sides of the campaign have received honours.'

The source pointed out that a small number of pro-Brexit figures have been handed gongs, including donor Paul Marshall, who is a supporter of the academy schools programme, and the Eurosceptic MPs Desmond Swayne and Jeffrey Donaldson.

But Brexit supporters are dwarfed by the number of pro-EU figures on the list. Signatories of letters co-ordinated by Downing Street appear to have done particularly well. Three business chiefs who signed a letter to The Times have been honoured, as have two others whose firms supported the letter.

John Armitage (CBE), founding partner of the hedge fund Egerton Capital LLP, gave £15,000 to the In campaign.

Tim Steiner (pictured), founder of the grocery delivery firm Ocado, signed a letter to The Times with 200 other businessmen claiming the UK could not stand alone from Europe

They include Weir Group chief executive Keith Cochrane, who is made a CBE, and Ocado online supermarket founder Tim Steiner, who receives an OBE. Fujitsu UK chairman Simon Blagden and BP regional president Trevor Garlick, whose firms signed the letter, were also honoured.

Supporters of a pro-EU open letter from members of the creative industries have also done well, with four signatories picking up honours.

Beneficiaries include actor Brian Blessed, who was made an OBE, artist Michael Craig-Martin, who was knighted, and Felix Barrett, founder of the immersive theatre group Punchdrunk, who is made an MBE.

THEY BACKED BRUSSELS... THEN GOT THEIR GONGS The buyout king Damon Buffini, who receives a knighthood, is a former private equity chief worth an estimated £100million. He is believed to have donated £10,000 to Britain Stronger in Europe. Known in financial circles as a 'buyout king', Mr Buffini, 54, led Permira to huge growth over nearly three decades, but the firm was accused of indulging in 'blatant asset-stripping'. He once made partners at the firm eat hamburgers after they moaned about the quality of food at five-star hotels, according to 2009 reports. The smoothie tycoon Millionaire Richard Reed (CBE), founder of the smoothie maker Innocent Drinks, is deputy chairman of the In campaign. He is a vociferous supporter of the EU, often taking to Twitter to denounce the 'deliberate lies' of Brexit campaigners. The Ocado founder Tim Steiner (OBE), founder of the grocery delivery firm Ocado, signed a letter to The Times with 200 other businessmen claiming the UK could not stand alone from Europe. He recently set the stage for a huge divorce battle over his £100million fortune after splitting from his wife of 14 years and starting a new relationship with a 27-year-old Polish model. Mr Steiner, 46, cited 'unreasonable behaviour' as grounds for separating from his wife Belinda, the mother of his four children. The hedge fund partner John Armitage (CBE), founding partner of the hedge fund Egerton Capital LLP, gave £15,000 to the In campaign. Mr Armitage, 55, now manages more than £10billion in assets, and specialises in a 'research-intensive stock picking approach to investing'. The Scottish engineer Keith Cochrane (CBE), chief executive of the Scottish engineering firm Weir Group, signed the letter in The Times warning against Brexit. Mr Cochrane, 51, was last in the news when shareholders overwhelmingly vetoed plans that could have seen bosses taking home millions in stock options regardless of how well the company performed. Advertisement

Six signatories of a pro-EU letter from entrepreneurs to the Financial Times were also honoured, as were signatories to letters from health experts and scientists.

John Kingman, who was acting permanent secretary at the Treasury for much of the campaign, during which it has been accused of pro-EU bias, was knighted.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan-Smith told the Mail: 'It's been going on behind closed doors. Downing Street's operation has been to mercilessly bully and flatter businesses. Business leaders have been promised all sorts of stuff.'

But Sir Ian Cheshire, who chairs the honours committee's economy section, said: 'This idea of a darkened room and stitch-up is not the case. It's not some sort of secret society. It's about recognising role models. We are extremely independent.'

An unelected Tory minister faced an angry backlash last night after suggesting voters had no right to defy Mr Cameron over Britain's membership of the EU. Ros Altmann, who has the pensions portfolio, said the public should listen to their elected political leaders rather than making up their own minds on Brexit.

She tweeted: 'Majority of MPs want to stay in EU. They're your democratically elected leaders. Voting Brexit overrules your own MPs.'

IT'S DAME POTTYMOUTH... SCOURGE OF THE PC BRIGADE By Daily Mail reporter Louise Casey, national scourge of the political correctness brigade and hand-wringing liberals, has been given a Damehood. In 2005 in an after-dinner speech she boasted about 'getting hammered' and said she would 'deck' Downing Street officials who quoted 'bloody evidence-based' policy and that ministers worked better if they were 'p****d'. Her honour recognises years of speaking about multiculturalism. As David Cameron's integration tsar, she has been outspoken about the failures to tackle forced marriage and other abuses in Muslim communities. She also chaired the Government's troubled families unit and led a hard-hitting investigation into social services in Rotherham where Asian sex gangs abused as many as 1,600 children. She is known in Whitehall for delivering 'hard truths' to the Muslim community that ministers cannot. Dame Louise, an official at the Department for Communities and Local Government, recently said the liberal elite had turned a blind eye to problems within some Muslim groups, adding: 'We let forced marriage happen because we were so wrapped up in political correctness and wanting our multicultural Britain. We forgot to talk about equality and we forgot to talk about equal rights.' On the Rotherham abuse scandal, she said more effort had been expended on 'Tipp-Exing out the word 'Pakistani' on folders in Rotherham' than addressing the root causes of the problems. A youth worker whose revelations about child sexual exploitation in Rotherham helped expose the scandal has been awarded the MBE. Jayne Senior said she was honoured but said it has come in the wake of so many 'ruined and devastated' lives. Advertisement

My knighthood? I'll wear it well says the new Sir Rod Stewart as he leads a host of showbiz names including Ant and Dec, Downton actress and Dame Vera Lynn to be honoured by the Queen

By Sam Greenhill for the Daily Mail

Rock star Rod Stewart, 71, (pictured with his wife Penny) is to receive a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours

He's had 62 hit singles and six Number Ones – not to mention eight children by five women.

But today rocker Rod Stewart will cap his decades-long career with perhaps the greatest honour of all, receiving a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The 71-year-old said the award was a 'monumental honour' and joked he would 'wear it well' – a reference to one of his hits. His citation reads: 'Roderick David Stewart. Singer/Songwriter. For services to music and charity.'

Last night he said: 'I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public. This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn't ask for anything more. I thank Her Majesty and promise to 'wear it well'.'

Sir Rod leads a host of showbiz names who are among the 1,149 people to receive accolades in this year's Birthday Honours for their achievements across a wide range of fields including politics, industry, sport, and charity work

They include Downton Abbey star Penelope Wilton, journalist and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter, actor Brian Blessed and singer Dame Vera Lynn.

Olivier award-winning actress Miss Wilton, 70, who played Isobel Crawley in the hit ITV show, becomes a member of the Establishment for real as she is made a Dame for services to drama.

Presenting duo Ant and Dec, who recently hosted The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration and worked with Prince Charles on a documentary commemorating 40 years of his charity the Prince's Trust, have both been awarded OBEs.

The pair – full names Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 40 – said they were shocked to receive the gongs, adding that despite their 27 years in television this is the achievement their 'mams' will be most proud of them for.

'We are just two ordinary lads from the west end of Newcastle,' they said in a joint statement.

'We hope us receiving this honour can inspire young people to chase their dreams and believe that anything is possible. This will definitely be the proudest our mams have ever been.

TIM PEAKE IS OVER THE MOON... Tim Peake (pictured) has become the first person to be honoured while in Space British astronaut Tim Peake is the first person to be honoured while in space. Major Peake could hardly be more qualified for his 'international' award as he floats around Earth. His Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George award is on the diplomatic list for 'promoting UK interests overseas' – 250 miles over seas in his case. He received the news when he was contacted on the International Space Station by the head of the diplomatic service, Sir Simon McDonald, who said: 'A particular highlight for me was phoning Tim Peake to ask if would accept an honour. As you'll see from the list, he said Yes.' Major Peake said he was honoured by the award, and dedicated it to everyone who had made his space mission possible. He is spending six months on the space station after blasting off in a Russian Soyuz FG rocket in December. Advertisement

'We are both shocked, but incredibly honoured to receive OBEs. We absolutely love what we do and have done since we started out aged 13.' Forces' sweetheart Dame Vera said she was 'surprised' and 'honoured' to be given another accolade. The 99-year-old, whose songs brought hope during the darkest days of the Second World War, joins the likes of Sir David Attenborough, Dame Maggie Smith and Stephen Hawking in becoming a Companion of Honour.

She said: 'I was very surprised. I felt very greatly honoured to be given a Damehood and never expected to receive anything else. So for Her Majesty to bestow a further accolade on me is very unexpected and I feel even more honoured.'

Miss Street-Porter, 69, becomes a Commander of the British Empire to honour a lifetime of achievement. As well as being a regular Daily Mail columnist, she has been the editor of the Independent on Sunday and is a Bafta-winning television veteran who has produced, presented or appeared on hundreds of programmes.

With her distinctive accent – she has been accused of 'murdering vowels' – she broke into television in 1975 and rose to head of youth and entertainment features at the BBC, where she commissioned popular shows such as Rapido and Red Dwarf.

Presenting duo Ant and Dec, who recently hosted The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration, have both been awarded OBEs

Downtown Abbey star Penelope Wilton (left) will be awarded a Damehood in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to Drama. Broadcaster Janet Street-Porter will also receive an award (right)

But she is best known for being in front of the lens, appearing on shows such as ITV's I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! Miss Street-Porter said: 'I accepted this honour on behalf of older people whose experiences and expertise can contribute so much and who often feel invisible, overlooked in the workplace and portrayed as 'problems' in the media.

'Ageing is a positive process, and I want to celebrate that. I've enjoyed working across the media for nearly fifty years and still feel an outsider – which is a source of great strength.' Actor Brian Blessed, 79, who receives an OBE for services to the arts and charity, said: 'This is a complete surprise. I am absolutely delighted. A huge thank you to all of the people that nominated me.'

Others named OBEs were Golden Globe-winning television producer Gareth Neame – who has worked on shows including Downton Abbey, Spooks and Hustle – and presenter and Citizen Khan actor Adil Ray.

In another record for Major Peake, his CMG - Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George - made him the first person to be honoured while in space.

Major Peake, awarded for space research and scientific education, said from the International Space Station: 'I am honoured to receive the first appointment to the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George for extraordinary service beyond our planet.'

Actor Brian Blessed, 79, receives an OBE for services to the arts and charity (left) and presenter and Citizen Khan actor Adil Ray (right) also received an OBE

Dame Vera Lynn (left) joins a host of showbiz names who are among the 1,149 people to receive accolades in this year's Birthday Honours. Others named OBEs were Golden Globe-winning television producer Gareth Neame (right) – who has worked on shows including Downton Abbey, Spooks and Hustle

A string of stars from the sporting world were also recognised for their achievements, with record-breaking England cricket captain Alastair Cook and former England football skipper Alan Shearer receiving CBEs for their services to cricket and charity, respectively.

Following Great Britain's triumph in the Davis Cup, Andy Murray's older brother Jamie Murray was given an OBE for services to tennis and charity, and Cup captain Leon Smith received the same honour for his services to the sport.

Despite calls for England's 1966 World Cup winning squad to be knighted in The Queen's 90th birthday honours - to mark the 50th anniversary of the famous win - none of them featured on the list.

Writer Paul Bede Johnson was given a CBE for his services to literature, and John Micklethwait, former editor-in-chief of the Economist, received the same honour for services to journalism and economics.

Martine Wiltshire, a Team GB sitting volleyball player and Paralympian, who lost both her legs in the London 7/7 bombings, was awarded an MBE.

Featured on the diplomatic service and overseas list was Baroness Amos, who was recommended to the Companion of Honour for services to the United Nations and emergency relief.

Nobel prize winner Professor Angus Stewart Deaton joined the Order of the British Empire and Knight Bachelor for his services to research in economics and international affairs.

He was accompanied by Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music Group - instrumental in the careers of artists like Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones and Sam Smith - for services to British business and inward investment.