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Row over queen’s new yr honour list
The Cameron Government has come in for criticism for the inclusion of persons with questionable, even disreputable, character being included in the queen’s new year honours list released on Friday night.
Most notable of them is Gerald Ronson, a multimillionaire who served time in jail for his involvement in a share-trading scandal. Hedge fund trader and Conservative donor Paul Ruddock is in the list as well, getting a knighthood.
In 1990, Ronson and his associates were accused of illegally boosting the price of Guinness — the beer manufacturer — at the time of its multi-billion takeover of a Scottish distillery. At that time a rival of Guinness was also bidding for the takeover. But with Guinness prices rising, its offer to the distillery also rose simultaneously. This forced Guinness’ rival to back off from its bid.
Ronson was charged with conspiring to create a false market, false accounting and one of theft. He received a fine of £5million and a jail term of one year of which he served six months. He has now been made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
Ruddock He is well known as the man whose firm, Lansdowne Partners, made profits of over 100 million pounds during the crash of the Northern Rock bank three years ago. The firm reportedly bet correctly that the bank’s shares were going to fall. Ruddock is also a political donor, having given more than £500,000 to the ruling Conservative Party.
Another person whose presence in the list is being deemed inappropriate is Denise Coates, founder and chief executive of the online gambling company bet 365. She has received the CBE. She is the daughter of Peter Coates, owner of the Stoke City football club and was this year ranked the eighth-richest woman in the Sunday Times Rich List.
A name from the British media which if not eyebrows has raised a couple of laughs is that of Peter Bazalgette who has received a knighthood for services to broadcasting. The most notable service of his is bringing the controversial reality TV show — Big Brother — to British screens.
Labour Party’s shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Dubher, said in a statement about the honours list: “David Cameron promised to clean up politics, but in office he has shown he is utterly out of touch with decent British people….It is extraordinary that when there are so many hard working people who have done a lot for this country, it is people who have caused us so many problems that are getting awarded.”
A spokesperson from 10, Downing Street responded to the criticism saying the Prime Minister was not personally involved in finalising the honours list which was the job of an independent committee.
The Cameron Government has come in for criticism for the inclusion of persons with questionable, even disreputable, character being included in the queen’s new year honours list released on Friday night.
Most notable of them is Gerald Ronson, a multimillionaire who served time in jail for his involvement in a share-trading scandal. Hedge fund trader and Conservative donor Paul Ruddock is in the list as well, getting a knighthood.
In 1990, Ronson and his associates were accused of illegally boosting the price of Guinness — the beer manufacturer — at the time of its multi-billion takeover of a Scottish distillery. At that time a rival of Guinness was also bidding for the takeover. But with Guinness prices rising, its offer to the distillery also rose simultaneously. This forced Guinness’ rival to back off from its bid.
Ronson was charged with conspiring to create a false market, false accounting and one of theft. He received a fine of £5million and a jail term of one year of which he served six months. He has now been made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
Ruddock He is well known as the man whose firm, Lansdowne Partners, made profits of over 100 million pounds during the crash of the Northern Rock bank three years ago. The firm reportedly bet correctly that the bank’s shares were going to fall. Ruddock is also a political donor, having given more than £500,000 to the ruling Conservative Party.
Another person whose presence in the list is being deemed inappropriate is Denise Coates, founder and chief executive of the online gambling company bet 365. She has received the CBE. She is the daughter of Peter Coates, owner of the Stoke City football club and was this year ranked the eighth-richest woman in the Sunday Times Rich List.
A name from the British media which if not eyebrows has raised a couple of laughs is that of Peter Bazalgette who has received a knighthood for services to broadcasting. The most notable service of his is bringing the controversial reality TV show — Big Brother — to British screens.
Labour Party’s shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Dubher, said in a statement about the honours list: “David Cameron promised to clean up politics, but in office he has shown he is utterly out of touch with decent British people….It is extraordinary that when there are so many hard working people who have done a lot for this country, it is people who have caused us so many problems that are getting awarded.”
A spokesperson from 10, Downing Street responded to the criticism saying the Prime Minister was not personally involved in finalising the honours list which was the job of an independent committee.
