THE Commons Sense Minister has called for more public nominations for everyday heroes after backing calls for Post Office campaigner Alan Bates to be knighted.
Top Tory Esther McVey told the Sun there would be no better way to shine a light on the subpostmasters’ campaign than to “honour the people who fought it”.
Alan Bates is said to have refused an OBE while former Post Office boss Paula Vennells still held her CBE[/caption]
Mr Bates is said to have refused an OBE while former Post Office boss Paula Vennells still held the CBE she received deep into the scandal in 2019.
But MPs and campaigners have called for Mr Bates’s honour to be re-submitted now that Ms Vennells has agreed to relinquish hers in the face of a public outcry.
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Cabinet Office Minister Ms McVey said she agreed that Mr Bates “deserves an honour for his tireless campaigning to right the wrongs of the subpostmasters scandal”.
She also insisted that while independent committees are responsible for making recommendations for honours, individuals are able take an active role in the process by nominating their local “champions” for recognition.
She said: “Every year thousands of everyday heroes are put forward by their local community. Not just famous faces.”
Ms McVey went on: “We know the role that many subpostmasters played, campaigning for justice. But there will be many others who fought too.
“I urge anyone who knows about someone who campaigned – put them forward for an honour, help give them the legacy they deserve.”
Nominations for honours can be made on the Government website.
ESTHER MCVEY WANTS MORE HEROES CELEBRATED
THIS week I was asked if Alan Bates deserves an honour for his tireless campaigning to right the wrongs of the sub-postmasters scandal.
I completely agree. What better way to shine a light on this campaign for justice than to honour the people who fought it.
Recommendations for honours are made by independent committees, but what you might not know is that you can nominate your local champion for an honour.
Every year thousands of everyday heroes are put forward by their local community. Not just famous faces.
The latest honours recognised local people who raised millions for good causes, and who supported vulnerable children and pensioners.
It included campaigners like a nine year old boy who campaigned to lock up child abusers for longer after he was harmed as a baby. Or the father who campaigned for child safety online after his daughter tragically took her own life.
People from all walks of life are honoured for their incredible contribution to public life.
We know the role that many sub-postmasters played, campaigning for justice. But there will be many others who fought too.
I urge anyone who knows about someone who campaigned – put them forward for an honour, help give them the legacy they deserve.
Anyone can nominate someone, just visit https://www.gov.uk/honours
As a Minister in the Cabinet Office, which looks after the honours system, I want to continue to see the more of these ordinary, extraordinary heroes celebrated. And I want to continue to see more people with that real-life experience deciding who gets these honours.
By nominating more people from more walks of life, we can celebrate their selfless achievements. Not just the subpostmaster campaigners, but anyone who has fought for justice or helped others to right wrongs.
