Exclusive: Committee members reveal increasing ‘politicisation’ of honours process

Leading names from the arts, from sport, from science to charity will be honoured at the end of this month at Buckingham Palace in an awards process that’s always been shrouded in secrecy, decided by members of ten Government committees – all perfectly fair and independent, say ministers.

But a number of committee members have come forward, claiming pressure was put on them to approve honours for Conservative Party supporters and donors, and that the whole system has become politicised.