"Keir Starmer intends to honour Sadiq with a Knighthood."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to receive a Knighthood in the New Year Honours List.
Khan will receive the honour for “political and public service” after more than two decades as a politician, first as an MP for Tooting and then as London Mayor since 2016.
He won a record third term in May 2024.
Alongside the Mayor, some of Labour’s top politicians including Emily Thornberry are believed to be in line for gongs heading into 2025.
According to the Financial Times, Thornberry will be made a Dame.
Other politicians reported to be on the New Year Honours List include:
- Former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt
- Former West Midlands Mayor Andy Street
- Three-time former Schools Minister Nick Gibb
- Former Housing Minister Marcus Jones
- Former Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena
Individuals would not necessarily know if they are on the New Year Honours List, for which anyone can nominate another person.
The Cabinet Office said: “We do not comment on speculation on honours.”
The report comes as the government prepares to issue a new political list of peerages in the coming weeks, which is set to include Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Sue Gray.
Several ex-Labour MPs who stepped down ahead of the election are set to be elevated to the House of Lords.
Rishi Sunak has yet to submit his resignation peerage list, but Tory insiders believe former cabinet ministers Michael Gove, Simon Hart, and Alister Jack will be on it.
Sadiq Khan’s impending Knighthood has been criticised by some, including Reform UK’s Alex Wilson, who called it a “kick in the teeth” to Londoners personally affected by his “many failures”.
Wilson said: “For many months, Sadiq Khan has been staunchly defending the indefensible Labour Government.
“Now, we learn that Keir Starmer intends to honour Sadiq with a Knighthood.
“Londoners will be asking themselves, what for?”
“His abject failure on knife crime? His failure to build affordable homes? His failure to keep our streets safe? His failure to protect working people?
“At a time when London has never been less safe, Londoners will be asking themselves how such a thing can happen.
“To the families who lost a loved one through knife crime, violence or any of his many other failures, this is a real kick in the teeth.
“Never has an elected politician been less deserving of a Knighthood.”
Meanwhile, London Assembly Conservatives leader Neil Garratt said:
“Knighthoods typically denote services past tense; but congratulations to Sadiq on formally kicking off the farewell tour.
“I wonder what he had to put on his report card to Sir Keir this week to get it!”
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