Boris Johnson names his father a knight

Boris Johnson previously faced accusations of cronyism after nominating his brother Jo Johnson for a peerage in 2020.

Boris Johnson condemned after knighting his father, reigniting debate over outdated honors system.

Stanley Johnson nominated as part of former Prime Minister’s resignation honors list. Boris Johnson previously faced accusations of cronyism after nominating his brother Jo Johnson for a peerage in 2020.

The Times reports that Johnson’s list of appointments, which is considerably longer than those of his predecessors David Cameron and Theresa May, will raise new accusations of cronyism.

Stanley Johnson was also previously accused by Conservative MP Caroline Nokes and a journalist of touching them at Conservative party conferences.

Nokes, chair of the Commons Women’s and Equality Committee, accused the Prime Minister‘s father of hitting her hard on the buttocks and making a vulgar comment at the Conservative Party Conference in 2003.

Stanley Johnson said afterwards that he had “no recollection” of either incident.

News of his knighthood nomination was condemned. Reacting to the news, Labour’s Wes Streeting told BBC Breakfast: “I’m looking forward to seeing Boris Johnson’s honours list, I think there’s a reason why it’s blocked and I think it’s indicative of a pattern of cronyism by Boris Johnson.

“I don’t care to be honest if Stanley Johnson is knighted, what I find extraordinary is that there are still many Tory MPs who to this day continue to defend Boris Johnson’s behaviour and that is why Rishi Sunak finds the Tory party like an ungovernable and uncontrollable rabble. They are deeply divided and continue to defend the indefensible and this is one of the many reasons why it is time for conservatives to have a spell in opposition.

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward