Row over honours for Tory donor and axed ministers

Alan Duncan, a former development minister, was handed a knighthood by Mr Cameron
Alan Duncan, a former development minister, was handed a knighthood by Mr Cameron
RICHARD POHLE/THE TIMES

A Conservative party donor is set to be ennobled by the prime minister when he announces the latest series of political peers next month.

David Cameron was accused of abusing the honours system with “goodbye gongs” for ministers removed in the reshuffle last week.

A new list of more than 20 “working peers”, including party donors, will further fuel accusations that he is misusing patronage.

A senior Conservative source said the list would be “women-friendly” but conceded that the inclusion of donors would “complicate” its presentation.

In anticipation of a row, Downing Street has pushed back publication of the new names until after the start of the House of Lords recess next week.

Last week the prime minister gave knighthoods to Alan Duncan, a former