Crime & Safety
King Charles praised for stripping 9 people of their honours
A notice was published in the London Gazette on Thursday, March 5, sharing details of the individuals who had their MBEs and OBEs taken away.
Most of the honours were stripped due to a criminal conviction or for “bringing the honours system into disrepute”.
The notice regarding the list of people who have had their honours taken away can be found in The London Gazette.
King Charles and government praised for “vital” action in stripping honours
The only way to lose an honour like an OBE or an MBE is through a process known as ‘forfeiture’.
This is decided by the Honours Forfeiture Committee, with the monarch approving decisions based on their advice.
The group is made up of a small number of senior civil servants and independent members who look at someone with an honour who has either been convicted of a serious crime or is judged to have brought the system into disrepute.
Discussing the decision to strip people of their honours, Tracy Lamourie of Lamourie Media, said that the process was important to protect the reputation of the government and the monarchy.
She said: It’s actually vital that they do take actions like this because institutions, everything from businesses to the royal family to governments, are under constant scrutiny these days, and people are demanding accountability.
“It’s not ok to sweep things under the rug in 2026.
“If these honour systems are going to continue to exist, they absolutely have to maintain the public’s trust and credibility, or they’re worth less than the cost to manufacture and announce them.”
Michael Ryan, Founder and CEO at Ink Digital, shared similar thoughts on it needing to protect the integrity of the honours system.
He said: “Awards like these are symbolic recognition of service and contribution, so when recipients later become associated with serious misconduct or reputational damage, leaving the honour in place can create a perception problem for the wider system.
“In situations like this, the response is often as much about reputation management as it is about the individuals involved.
“Institutions such as the monarchy operate within a very visible public narrative, and public honours are part of how that narrative is communicated.
“When honours are revoked, it sends a signal that the recognition is tied not just to past achievement but also to ongoing conduct and public trust.”
On the other hand, royal insiders quoted by Radar Online have questioned whether the honours system can retain its value.
A source familiar with the honours system shared: “When you see this many titles being cancelled in such a short time, it inevitably leads some people to ask whether the whole system begins to look a bit meaningless.”
However, not everyone agreed, as another royal source said: “The King has shown he is willing to strip titles when he believes standards have been breached.
“We saw it when Andrew Windsor lost his royal titles and patronages, and now we are seeing the same strict attitude applied to the honours system.”
Full list of people to have their MBEs and OBEs stripped in 2026
- Ian Ashbold, received MBE in 2016, stripped due to a criminal conviction
- Lloyd Hamilton, received MBE in 2011, stripped due to a criminal conviction
- Angela Middleton, received MBE in 2019, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute
- Nigel O’Connor, received MBE in 2015, stripped due to professional censure
- Tony Reilly, received OBE in 2011, stripped due to professional censure
- Paul Rose, received MBE in 2002, stripped due to a criminal conviction
- Anant Shah, received OBE in 2020, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute
- Graham Trewhella, received MBE in 2010, stripped due to a criminal conviction
- Stuart Hogg, received MBE in 2024, stripped due to a criminal conviction
What are OBEs and MBEs?
OBE stands for Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
This is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.
MBE stands for Member of the Order of the British Empire.
This is awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community.
Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).
The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.
READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford
Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.
Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.
He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.
He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.
READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.
“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions.
“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities.
“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”
Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.
Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.
READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’
“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.
“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”
Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.
A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.
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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.
At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years
An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.
Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.
South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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