Fury as Boris Johnson nominates father for a knighthood

According to The Times, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has nominated his father for a knighthood.

This comes as part of his long-delayed resignation list– a list of peerages, or lesser honours, that the outgoing Prime Minister may request from the monarch following their departure from office.

Stanley Johnson is on the alleged list of up to 100 names that the Boris Johnson has put up for honours, following his September resignation.

A spokesperson for Boris Johnson told The Guardian that he had no comment on the list.

The prospective knighthood has garnered a fair share of backlash since The Times reports' release, reigniting cronyism allegations that were spurred back in 2020 when the former PM nominated his brother, Bo Johnson, for a peerage.

"The idea of an ex-prime minister bestowing honours on his dad – for services to what?," asked Labour leader Keir Starmer in a conversation with LBC radio. "The idea that Boris Johnson is nominating his dad for a knighthood – you only need to say it to realise just how ridiculous it is."

Wes Streeting, British Shadow Health Secretary, told The Guardian that Johnson “discredited the honours system," by nominating his father– adding further that Johnson had "discredited the office of prime minister."

Stanley Johnson's alleged nomination would also be controversial due to past harassment allegations.

In 2021, Tory MP Caroline Nokes and political correspondent Ailbhe Rea both came out with accusations against the man, alleging that he had touched them inappropriately at Conservative Party conferences. Boris' mother Charlotte also made domestic violence allegations against Stanley Johnson in a novel.

Stanley Johnson has denied the claims.

Boris Johnson has nominated his father Stanley for a knighthood.

Here's what Boris's mother Charlotte said about the abuse Stanley subjected her to. pic.twitter.com/sDZKPRNuSP

— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) March 6, 2023