Post Office campaigner Alan Bates , former prime minister Gordon Brown and artist Tracey Emin are among the famous faces recognised for their outstanding contribution to society in the King ’s birthday honours list. The highest award went to Mr Brown, who was made a Companion of Honour, while Mr Bates was knighted in recognition of his work highlighting the Post Office Horizon IT scandal – an honour he learnt of while watching former Post Office boss Paula Vennells giving evidence at the ongoing inquiry. Emin, actor Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were all made dames in the list , while writer Armando Iannucci was made a CBE and cyclist Mark Cavendish was knighted.
Singer Rebecca Ferguson, Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon, Countdown ’s Susie Dent and Strictly Come Dancing ’s Amy Dowden were among the showbiz names to be awarded the MBE. In the sporting world, former cyclist Chris Boardman and former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness were made CBEs, while former England footballer Karen Carney was made an OBE. Special honours are given to people who make an outstanding contribution to their community and the country, with 1,077 people from across the UK acknowledged in Friday’s list.
Sir Alan, the founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, who was played by Toby Jones in an ITV drama about the scandal, said he was “honoured” to receive his knighthood. The former subpostmaster, who previously rejected an OBE, said: “Th.
