FORMER prime minister Boris Johnson has put his father, Stanley, forward for a knighthood, according to reports.
The Times writes that Johnson, who left Number 10 last September, has nominated his father as part of his resignation honours list.
A spokesperson for the former PM said: “We don’t comment on honours.”
The newspaper reported that Johnson’s nominations included up to 100 names and that it was “considerably longer” than that of his predecessors Theresa May and David Cameron with the list currently making its way through Cabinet Office vetting.
Responding to the reports, SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said Johnson was “making a mockery” of the system.
“The idea that he could nominate his own father for a knighthood and think he could get away with it sums up the arrogance of the man”, he said.
Sheppard added: “His entire honours list should be scrapped without delay. This corrupt, crony-ridden Westminster system – including the honours system – is completely outdated and unfit for purpose.”
In 2021, senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes and a journalist publicly accused Stanley, a former MEP, of inappropriately touching them at Conservative party conferences.
He denied the incidents, saying he had “no recollection of Caroline Nokes at all”.
The former prime minister has previously faced accusations of cronyism after he nominated his brother Jo Johnson for a peerage in 2020.
In years gone by, May nominated 60 people in her resignation honours list while Cameron named 62.
A spokesperson for Stanley did not comment on the nomination.
It was also previously reported that Johnson was looking to name four sitting Conservative MPs for a peerage, including Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and Nadine Dorries, who has since announced she will be stepping down as an MP.
