Stop giving gongs to David Cameron’s cronies and hand ‘true people’s champion’ Mo Farah a knighthood, says Tim Farron
The Lib Dem leader said it was ‘about time they restored a little bit of faith in the honour's system’
MO FARAH is a ‘true people’s champion’ and should be given a knighthood ahead of David Cameron’s cronies, says Tim Farron.
The Liberal Democrat leader said the athletics superstar, who won an historic third Olympic gold on the track in Rio yesterday, deserved a gong ahead of those on the former PM’s resignation honours list.
Mr Cameron has been accused of ‘cronyism’ for doling out awards to Tory aides, donors, and even his wife Samantha’s stylist.
As well as nominations for 46 of his allies, he also put forward 13 new peers, but Mr Farron said Farah should be ahead of them in the queue.
The MP said it was “about time they restored a little bit of faith in the honour's system”, by rewarding the 33-year-old long-distance runner.
"In becoming the first British athlete to win three golds Mo Farah has become one of the very greatest British sporting heroes of all time,” Mr Farron said.
“He came from Somalia speaking barely a word of English, and has become an inspiration to a generation.
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"The Conservatives have doled out gong after gong to cronies and donors.
“It is about time they restored a little bit of faith in the honours' system and gave a knighthood to someone who deserves it, a true people’s champion."
The fierce criticism of Mr Cameron’s resignation honours list has led to a call for the ex-PM to be hauled in front of MPs to justify the awards handed out.
Bernard Jenkin, the chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, says its members will look into the list once Parliament reconvenes next month.
The chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Lord Bew, said the honours list "has to be the last one, given the public outcry".