Andrew Murrison – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Murrison on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria are used for decisions on the (a) removal and (b) denial of UK honours.

Matthew Hancock

The Forfeiture Committee which makes recommendations on the removal of honours can consider any case where there is evidence to suggest that the retention of an honour would bring the honours system into disrepute, for example, if an individual has been found guilty by the Courts of a criminal offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment; or has been censured/struck off by the relevant Regulatory Authority or Professional Body for actions or failures to act which are directly relevant to the granting of the Honour.

Honours nominations are considered by one of the nine independent honours selection committees. There are many reasons why a nomination may not be successful when judged on merit against other nominations.