Revocation of Honours 2026-09-10
2026-09-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of revoking honours for individuals who have brought disrepute to the honours system.
What steps her Department is taking to revoke the honours of disgraced individuals.
There is a well-established process for the revocation of honours. Any instance where a recipient may be deemed to have brought the honours system into disrepute can be considered by the independent Forfeiture Committee.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or timeline for revocation of honours were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In December last year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct found that Sir Norman Bettison, chief inspector for South Yorkshire police at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, would have had a case to answer for gross misconduct. Yesterday, the questioner wrote to the Prime Minister to inquire if the Forfeiture Committee has taken this finding into account.
In December last year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct found that Sir Norman Bettison, the chief inspector for South Yorkshire police at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, would have had a case to answer for gross misconduct had he still been a serving officer today. This related to his role in the Hillsborough cover-up, his deliberate dishonesty in the aftermath of the disaster, and his lying about his involvement during his application for the post of chief constable of Merseyside police in 1998. Yesterday I wrote to the Prime Minister to ask whether the Forfeiture Committee has taken December's finding into account. Can my hon. Friend confirm that that finding is being considered by the Committee? If not, will he make representations that it should be?
Let me start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend for his work on this issue. This Government are absolutely clear that nothing like the Hillsborough disaster must ever happen again. That is why the Public Office (Accountability) Bill will establish a new duty of candour and assistance at inquiries and investigations, backed by criminal sanctions. That will also extend to police misconduct investigations. My hon. Friend will understand why I am not in a position to comment on an individual case from the Floor of the House, but I reassure him that I have seen his correspondence with my predecessor on this question. I am looking at it very carefully.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation on the Forfeiture Committee's consideration of the case was not given
Response accuracy