Arise Sir Stanley? Boris Johnson nominates his father for a knighthood

Arise Sir Stanley? Boris Johnson nominates his father for a knighthood: Controversial move is branded ‘absolutely outrageous’ by Labour – but Tory MPs say the 82-year-old deserves the honour for his years of environmental work

• Should Stanley’s knighthood be approved he will join his son in House of Lords
• Several Tory MPs appeared to show support for the former PM’s decision

Boris Johnson has put his father’s name forward for a knighthood in his resignation honours list, it has been reported.

Should Stanley Johnson’s knighthood be approved by the Cabinet Office, he will join his son Jo, a former Tory minister now in the House of Lords, in being honoured by the ex-prime minister.

While it has been met with some criticism, several Tory MPs appeared to show support for the former PM’s decision.

Backbencher Michael Fabricant said: ‘Stanley Johnson should have received a knighthood years ago… he was in the European Parliament and afterward he engaged in animal conservation work worldwide, and has written books on environmental and population issues.’

Boris Johnson has put his father’s name forward for a knighthood in his resignation honours list, it has been reported

Should Stanley Johnson’s knighthood be approved by the Cabinet Office, he will join his son Jo, a former Tory minister now in the House of Lords, in being honoured by the ex-prime minister

Science Secretary Michelle Donelan said: ‘Obviously it’s the ex-prime minister’s prerogative to be able to make those appointments.

‘But I think there are bigger fish to fry, to be honest.’

Mr Johnson, 82, is among 100 nominations, according to The Times.

However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised the decision, telling LBC Radio yesterday: ‘The idea of an ex-prime minister bestowing honours on his dad – for services to what? – you only need to say it to realise just how ridiculous it is.

‘It’s classic of a man like Johnson. I think the public will think this is absolutely outrageous.’

Labour’s health spokesman Wes Streeting told the BBC: ‘I think it speaks to a pattern of Boris Johnson’s behaviour around cronyism. I couldn’t care less about whether Stanley Johnson gets a knighthood. What I do find extraordinary is that there are still many Conservative MPs who continue to defend Boris Johnson’s behaviour.’

In 2021, Stanley was accused of assault by Conservative MP Caroline Nokes and political journalist Ailbhe Rea. Ms Nokes, 50, said he smacked her ‘on the backside as hard as he could’ and said ‘you’ve got a lovely seat’ at the 2003 Conservative Party conference.

Science Secretary Michelle Donelan said: ‘Obviously it’s the ex-prime minister’s prerogative to be able to make those appointments. ‘But I think there are bigger fish to fry, to be honest’

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said that his team does not comment on honours. His father declined to comment 

Ms Rea claimed he ‘groped me’ at the 2019 Tory conference when she was 24. At the time Mr Johnson told Sky News: ‘I have no recollection of Caroline Nokes – but there you go.’

And in 2020 a biography of the then-prime minister claimed Stanley’s late wife Charlotte Johnson Wahl needed hospital treatment after being hit by him in the 1970s. He is said to have deeply regretted the ‘isolated’ incident.

Last night the former PM’s sister Rachel told the News Agents podcast: ‘I don’t expect there’s going to be a national outpouring of joy.

‘If my brother hadn’t been prime minister, I think my father could have been in line for some sort of recognition in his own right. He’s done much more for the Tory party and the environment than dozens of people who have been given gongs at this point.

‘It’s also not unprecedented that a prime minister puts a family member on a resignation honours list.’

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said that his team does not comment on honours. His father declined to comment.

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