This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35201149

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
New Year Honours 2016: Lynton Crosby knighthood criticised by Labour New Year Honours 2016: Lynton Crosby knighthood criticised by Labour
(about 4 hours later)
The knighthood awarded to an adviser who helped the Conservatives win the election is "outrageous", shadow home secretary Andy Burnham has said. The knighthood awarded to Conservative general election strategist Lynton Crosby is "outrageous", shadow home secretary Andy Burnham has said.
Australian Lynton Crosby, nicknamed the Wizard of Oz, was Tory campaign director at May's general election. Sir Lynton joins a number of politicians, party workers and civil servants in the New Year Honours list.
Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock previously defended the award, saying Sir Lynton is a "great public servant". Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock previously defended his award, calling Sir Lynton a "great public servant".
Ex-Lib Dem energy secretary Ed Davey was also knighted. Labour chief whip Rosie Winterton received a damehood. Ex-Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey was also knighted. Labour chief whip Rosie Winterton received a damehood.
Mr Burnham said Sir Lynton's knighthood suggested "the Tories think they can get away with whatever they like". Among the civil servants to be honoured is Lin Homer, HMRC and former UK Border Agency chief executive, who has been made a dame.
'Insensitive'
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said it was "not exactly unknown" for those involved in politics to be given awards, with Labour's election strategist, Spencer Livermore, now in the House of Lords.
He described Sir Lynton as "one of the most powerful people in British politics who you may not have heard of".
Mr Burnham said the strategist's knighthood suggested "the Tories think they can get away with whatever they like".
"It is a timely reminder that Labour must make it a new year's resolution to stop facing inwards and expose them for what they are," he added."It is a timely reminder that Labour must make it a new year's resolution to stop facing inwards and expose them for what they are," he added.
The front pages: Anger at 'tainted New Year Honours'The front pages: Anger at 'tainted New Year Honours'
New Year Honours list in fullNew Year Honours list in full
Windsor and McCoy head listWindsor and McCoy head list
Twelve famous facesTwelve famous faces
Fellow Labour MP Graham Jones added: "The honours system is supposed to recognise dedicated public service, not simply be a vehicle to reward Tory cronies and donors. Fellow Labour MP Graham Jones added: "The honours system is supposed to recognise dedicated public service, not simply be a vehicle to reward Tory cronies and donors."
"David Cameron should take care not to undermine the integrity of the system". A Conservative MP, Mark Garnier, told BBC Radio 5live the award could be seen as "insensitive", saying he felt "uncomfortable" about politicians being honoured in general.
But speaking on BBC Radio 4's The World at One, Mr Hancock said: "Political service, I think, is part of public service. People who make a contribution to our democratic process make a public service." Mr Garnier said Sir Lynton was an "outstanding individual", adding: "Were he in another area, I would say this is fine, it is a good thing, it's just that I do recognise the fact that people find it insensitive and are a bit uncomfortable about it and I do, to a certain extent, agree with that."
Sir Lynton also ran Boris Johnson's London mayoral campaigns and worked for the Tories at the 2005 general election. But speaking to the BBC after the award was first reported by the Sunday Times, Mr Hancock said: "Political service, I think, is part of public service. People who make a contribution to our democratic process make a public service."
Lynton Crosby profileLynton Crosby profile
Mr Davey, meanwhile, follows fellow former Lib Dem coalition ministers Vince Cable and Danny Alexander in being knighted.Mr Davey, meanwhile, follows fellow former Lib Dem coalition ministers Vince Cable and Danny Alexander in being knighted.
He was appointed energy secretary in 2012 following the resignation of Chris Huhne, and lost the seat of Kingston and Surbiton, which he had held since 1997, at the general election.He was appointed energy secretary in 2012 following the resignation of Chris Huhne, and lost the seat of Kingston and Surbiton, which he had held since 1997, at the general election.
Dame Rosie has been the MP for Doncaster Central since 1997, and served as a minister in the Labour government in departments including transport and health. She has been opposition chief whip since 2010, retaining the role under new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.Dame Rosie has been the MP for Doncaster Central since 1997, and served as a minister in the Labour government in departments including transport and health. She has been opposition chief whip since 2010, retaining the role under new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Her award was revealed on Twitter before its embargoed release by Labour MPs including shadow justice minister Karl Turner, while shadow defence minister Toby Perkins said her "loyalty and commitment to the Labour Party" were "hard to match".Her award was revealed on Twitter before its embargoed release by Labour MPs including shadow justice minister Karl Turner, while shadow defence minister Toby Perkins said her "loyalty and commitment to the Labour Party" were "hard to match".
Ex-Borders chief honouredEx-Borders chief honoured
Henry Bellingham, the Conservative MP for North West Norfolk and a former foreign office minister, has also been knighted, as has clerk and chief executive of the Scottish Parliament Paul Grice. Henry Bellingham, the Conservative MP for North West Norfolk and a former foreign office minister, has also been knighted, as have clerk and chief executive of the Scottish Parliament Paul Grice, Robert Devereux, permanent secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, and Jon Day, former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
Robert Devereux, permanent secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, and Jon Day, former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, have been knighted, while HMRC and former UK Border Agency chief executive Lin Homer becomes a dame.
According to the government, the honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.According to the government, the honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.
Anyone can nominate somebody for an honour, with nominations considered by the Honours Committee. The committee's decisions go to the prime minister and then the Queen, who awards the honours.Anyone can nominate somebody for an honour, with nominations considered by the Honours Committee. The committee's decisions go to the prime minister and then the Queen, who awards the honours.
Honours Committee chairman Sir Jonathan Stephens vowed to review the procedures in place for preventing names from being leaked before their publication.Honours Committee chairman Sir Jonathan Stephens vowed to review the procedures in place for preventing names from being leaked before their publication.
He said: "Yes, the leaks are disappointing, most of all because we ask each of the recipients to keep the award confidential and they do so of course, and its just disappointing for them when something is pre-empted like that.He said: "Yes, the leaks are disappointing, most of all because we ask each of the recipients to keep the award confidential and they do so of course, and its just disappointing for them when something is pre-empted like that.
"So each year, each time we look to see what efforts we can make to tighten it still further, and we'll look at that again.""So each year, each time we look to see what efforts we can make to tighten it still further, and we'll look at that again."
Sir Jonathan said only a "very small number of people" were leaked out of the total 1,196 people who received an award.Sir Jonathan said only a "very small number of people" were leaked out of the total 1,196 people who received an award.