Labour has nominated a former Conservative Brexit rebel for a knighthood, provoking outrage from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. David Gauke, who served as justice secretary under Theresa May, was suspended by Boris Johnson in 2019 for opposing a no-deal Brexit. He later stood as an independent at the general election and urged voters to back Liberal Democrat candidates to prevent a Tory majority.
After losing his seat, Gauke was appointed by Labour’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to lead an independent sentencing review addressing prison overcrowding. Now, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has put him forward for a knighthood in the King’s annual birthday honours list, according to the Financial Times.
Badenoch is reportedly ‘absolutely livid’ at the nomination of the ‘Tory turncoat’. A Tory source said: ‘She wouldn’t have him anywhere near any list. Starmer even snuck it through a random honours committee to stop Kemi vetoing it. He stood against the Conservatives, now he’s doing Labour’s bidding on sentencing and bagged himself a knighthood. Total Starmer stitch-up.’
This move comes despite Starmer’s previous pledge to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber. Since then, he has appointed numerous supporters to the upper chamber, including former communications director Matthew Doyle, who campaigned for a convicted paedophile.
Other nominees include Jessica Morden, chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, reportedly nominated for a damehood, and Labour MP Jim McMahon proposed for a knighthood. Former Tory Party chair Greg Hands is also on the list, according to the FT.
Business figures nominated include CS Venkatakrishnan (Barclays CEO), Jane Fraser (Citigroup CEO), and David Schwimmer (London Stock Exchange Group CEO). Andrew Mitchell (retired Thames Tideway CEO) and Alastair King (former Lord Mayor of London) are reportedly in line for knighthoods. Energy bosses Simone Rossi (EDF Energy CEO) will be made CBE, along with Octopus Investments co-founders Chris Hulatt and Simon Rogerson. Milena Mondini de Focatiis, head of FTSE 100 insurer Admiral, will also receive a CBE.
The proposed nominations are yet to be finalised and approved by Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The Cabinet Office said: ‘We do not comment on speculation regarding honours.’
