By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has nominated at least 100 persons for the honour of knighthood, including his father Stanley, the Times Newspaper report says.
The knighthood is the list of honours due to him as a former British Prime Minister, but it is not clear what service Stanley Johnson is being acknowledged for with the award, the newspaper reported further on Monday, raising cronyism accusation.
Johnson’s predecessors, Theresa May and David Cameron, nominated little above half of what he sent at 60 respectively.
Mr Johnson’s father, a former member of the European Parliament, an author, and a television personality acquired French nationality last year.
A spokesperson for the ex-prime minister declined to comment.
All departing British leaders are entitled to draw up a “resignation honours” list that bestows knighthoods and other titles.
A knighthood or damehood raises a person’s public profile, conferring the title of “Sir” or “Dame” on the holder.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has the power to block any honours nominations.
His science minister, Michelle Donelan, said there were “bigger fish to fry” when asked if she would have a problem with a knighthood for Mr Johnson’s father.
“Obviously, it’s the ex-prime minister’s prerogative to be able to make those types of appointments, but we’ll see if this story is true or not,” she told LBC Radio.
Opposition Labour’s health policy chief Wes Streeting told the BBC: “I think (his resignation honours list) speaks to a pattern of Boris Johnson’s behaviour around cronyism.”
In 2020, as prime minister, Mr Johnson elevated his brother Jo Johnson to the House of Lords, the upper chamber of parliament, where he has a seat for life.
