Sadiq Khan to receive KNIGHTHOOD for 'political and public service' in Starmer's first New Year honours list

Khan will receive his award for "political and public service" after almost two decades in frontline politics, people briefed on the honours list told the newspaper.

And Thornberry, the Islington South & Finsbury MP controversially dropped from the Labour Shadow Cabinet when the party won summer's General Election, will be made a Dame, Whitehall insiders said.

More big names reported to be on the 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.

Though one source stressed that the draft document is yet to receive a final sign-off from Starmer or King Charles III - in whose name the honours are conferred.

Meanwhile, Labour is gearing up to elevate several party heavyweights to the Lords, one of whom is understood to be Starmer's recently-departed chief-of-staff Sue Gray.

Meanwhile, a set of former Labour MPs who stepped down ahead of the General Election to make way for fresh faces are set to join Gray in the Lords.

But the Mayor's impending knighthood has been met with fierce criticism from his City Hall colleagues - not least Reform UK's Alex Wilson, who branded the gong a "kick in the teeth" to Londoners personally affected by his "many failures".

Wilson told GB News: "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!"