David Cameron's farewell honours list blocked by Whitehall over 'ethical' suitability of some appointments

The former PM had tried to hand out top gongs to his allies and aides

David Cameron leaves number 10 Downing Street on his final day as PM (Reuters)

Several people nominated for honours by David Cameron in his farewell list have been blocked by Whitehall on ethical grounds, it has been reported.

The Times newspaper says senior officials at the Cabinet Office blocked part of the honours after raising suitability over some of the people on it.

Peers on the House of Lords appointment commission also raised other concerns about some of the suggested appointments.

Mr Cameron has reportedly tried to bag senior positions, including seats the House of Lords, for his former aides and advisors.

House of Lords appointments are particular politically sensitive because the Government does not have a majority in the upper chamber and needs its support to pass laws.

An unnamed source with knowledge of the honours process told the newspaper: “David Cameron put forward a number of names. Some of them did not even make it past the first hurdle — the Cabinet Office. Cameron’s surviving team are having a series of difficult discussions with them to try and get through as many as possible.”

Last month Mr Cameron was accused by Leave campaigners of stuffing the Queen’s Birthday honours list with supporters on his side of the EU referendum campaign.

He also reportedly paid £282,000 of public money in “golden goodbye” severance pay to outgoing special advisors.

The episodes raise questions about the extent to which cronyism exists in government – and whether the executive has too much power in appointing part of the legislature.

Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said: “First David Cameron overruled Civil Service advice in order to give massive pay-offs to his Special Advisers and now we learn officials have reportedly raised concerns about the suitability of some of his resignation honours.

“Given the former Prime Minister previously claimed to want to “clean up the political system” this level of cronyism is astounding.”