New Years Honours: Macdonald award fuels controversy

Ken Macdonald QC, the head of the agency which will decide whether anyone should be prosecuted over the cash-for-honours affair, has been given a knighthood. Sir Ken's award will raise further questions about the independence of any criminal prosecution relating to allegations that businessman who lent money to Labour were promised peerages.

Other notable public figures recognised in the New Year Honours list include Mark Malloch Brown, lately the deputy secretary general of the United Nations, who was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.

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Linda Bellos, co-chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Group and one of the first black women to lead a London council, was created an OBE for services to diversity. The explorer David Hempleman-Adams, OBE, is made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order and Bernard Matthews, the Norfolk turkey farmer, is made a commander of the Royal Victorian Order, both for services to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

There was also public recognition for those who have served their communities. Among them was retired milkman George Bell, 60, who delivered milk in East Lothian for more than 30 years. He is created an MBE.