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 awarded a knighthood.
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 yesterday’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: “The time I was asked about the OBE ... I felt it would have been quite offensive to many of the group if I’d accepted it.
“But I do know that I’ve had hundreds of emails and letters of support over the years, and a lot of people do seem to think that I should receive some sort of recognition for the work that I’ve done for them or on their behalf. I know I’m the recipient of it and all the rest of it, but it’s on behalf of the group as well, and recognition of the horrendous things that have happened to them – and the story’s not over yet.”
This story is from the June 15, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the June 15, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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