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News & politics

Cash for honours

(45 Posts)
Esspee Wed 16-Feb-22 21:44:24

The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations of a cash for honours scandal involving the Prince of Wales Trust.
What interests me is that this was in the newspapers this morning but hasn't been mentioned on Gransnet.
Is this an indication that we are now so thoroughly accustomed to sleaze in high places that yet another scandal doesn't warrant a mention?

Janamax Thu 17-Feb-22 10:43:04

Anniebach

Charles can ‘do a Corbyn’ ‘I was there but I don’t know if I was involved ‘, a wreath laying ceremony to terrorists who had murdered an Israeli Olympic team

Yes because going to a grave yard to lay a wreath is far worse than corruption at the highest levels, eh.

Pantglas2 Thu 17-Feb-22 11:10:52

“Queenie” ? Really? There’s your argument gone down the Swanee and unnecessarily as well.

I hadn’t realised that anyone, Queen, Prince or council house kid could actually nominate someone they felt worthy due to their contribution to society, financial or otherwise, MaizieD. Do we know who sits on the actual awarding panel?

Anniebach Thu 17-Feb-22 11:56:15

Janamax we obviously have different views on anti semitism

Elegran Thu 17-Feb-22 12:14:09

The following is from www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-honours-system-how-work-22614269 It all sounds pretty open and balanced to me, with a lot of people and discussions involved in decisions. I can't really see Prince Charles having much influence on who gets chosen, without it being obvious that he is playing favourites. But hey! why bother looking at the procedure when we can just blame someone in a family we disapprove of?

How are people nominated for honours?

Any member of the public or an official body can nominate someone for an honour.
UK nationals and citizens of 15 Commonwealth “realms” of which the Queen is head of state are eligible for nomination.
People living or working overseas, whose achievements were made in another country or in the UK and have a significant international element, can be nominated too.
Nominations are submitted to the Cabinet Office’s Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which oversees the honours system.
Someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the response to the coronavirus crisis in the UK can also now be nominated.
Non-British or Commonwealth country citizens can be considered for “honorary” awards.

Who approves nominations?

Consideration of nominations can take 12 to 18 months.
The suitability of nominees submitted to the Honours and Appointments Secretariat is established through “merit” and “probity and propriety” checks.
This vetting process, to avoid bringing the system into “disrepute”, can involve the input of government departments, regulatory bodies, professional organisations, HM Revenue and Customs and the ACRO Criminal Records Office.
A group of 10 independent honours committees, each covering a specialist subject area such as sport or health, consider nominations.
The recommendations of these groups of independent experts and senior civil servants are passed on to the Prime Minister and, ultimately, the Queen for approval.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) oversees the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.

Grany Thu 17-Feb-22 12:18:39

Jeremy Corbyn has been a anti racist campaigner all forms of racism all his life.

He has started the Peace and Justice Project

Now a right winger in labour has created a fake website Peace and Justice and asks for money.

As figures in the Labour Party move to smear former leader Jeremy Corbyn and push him out, supporters need to be aware of more subtle attackers.

JaneJudge Thu 17-Feb-22 12:19:58

I'm baffled that Jeremy Corbyn has been mentioned

Galaxy Thu 17-Feb-22 12:20:32

grin Well subtlety isn't something you could be accused of Grany.

Grany Thu 17-Feb-22 12:20:49

Charles awarded an honour in a private ceremony but there is a photograph of it.

Grany Thu 17-Feb-22 12:22:54

JaneJudge

I'm baffled that Jeremy Corbyn has been mentioned

annie first mentioned Jeremy Corbyn as a matter of fact I replyed ok

Anniebach Thu 17-Feb-22 12:25:29

If there is a photograph it wasn’t private

GillT57 Thu 17-Feb-22 12:28:35

Grany

JaneJudge

I'm baffled that Jeremy Corbyn has been mentioned

annie first mentioned Jeremy Corbyn as a matter of fact I replyed ok

I suspect that this is another dead cat tactic.

The whole honours system is discredited in my opinion.

trisher Thu 17-Feb-22 12:37:57

I just think if you have to bring in a person you completely despise to defend someone, the person being defended must have sunk pretty low.

Pantglas2 Thu 17-Feb-22 13:38:55

Thanks for that info Elegran - I cant see that any member of the royal family can guarantee an honour no matter how much dosh is handed over. The days of the Labour Lavender list have long gone!

MaizieD Thu 17-Feb-22 13:50:00

trisher

MaizieD I would imagine nomination is one thing and a word in the right ear quite another.

I expect that I am as horrified as you are about the extent to which money speaks to power and how it buys influence.

But I do think that the PM has more influence over the awarding of honours than does the RF. He can overrule the Honours Committee's decisions, as evidenced in the link I posted. I would be surprised if the RF could, because that would be a political move and the Queen is supposed to be apolitical.

But perhaps I'm just naive...

Ilovecheese Thu 17-Feb-22 13:52:03

trisher

I just think if you have to bring in a person you completely despise to defend someone, the person being defended must have sunk pretty low.

I agree trisher

Elegran Thu 17-Feb-22 13:55:25

Here is more info, Pantglas. This is about the Cabinet Office’s Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which oversees the honours system.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honours_Committee

Elegran Thu 17-Feb-22 13:57:32

With lists of committee members, btw, so if anyone is after an honour you could look them all up and see which of them you would have a go at nobbling.

trisher Thu 17-Feb-22 17:12:59

There might at sometime in the past have been honourable incorruptable PMs who would ignore any names dropped by Chas or Queenie, and any offers of hospitality or other encouragements. Don't think there has been one since Tony Blair I'd consider trustworthy. Oh I'd forgotten Gordon Brown. Don't think he would do anything dodgy

Grany Thu 17-Feb-22 20:58:21

Clearly Britain loses more than it gains from the monarchy. Let us be brave and end it
Polly Toynbee

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/17/britain-monarchy-end-royal-jubilee?fbclid=IwAR2r5E-r5zpnLMHLZytPDuTqVJ69Fvpo0gm1N6G5iBCl2Q1pxtewlawZ6L4