Downing Street deny accusation of cronyism from Leave campaign over honours list

A senior Leave campaigner has accused 10 Downing Street of reaching a ‘new low’ through the inclusion of pro-EU supporters in the latest honours list

MP Gisela Stuart, a Brexit campaigner, has alleged that the honours list includes 22 pro-EU figures (PA)

Downing Street has vehemently denied allegations of cronyism following suggestions that the Queen’s Birthday Honours list has been biased in favour of rewarding supporters of the EU referendum Remain campaign.

Vote Leave’s Labour co-chair Gisela Stuart has said the Prime Minister and the Remain campaign have reached a “new low”, claiming that 22 pro-EU supporters were included in the honours.

She said: “People in this country are sick of the establishment doing these shabby stitch-ups and will view this as bordering on the corrupt.”

However, a spokesperson for No 10 strongly denied the suggestion, telling Sky News the honours appointment system was “transparent and robust” and the Leave campaign was “clutching at straws” with “nonsense” claims.

Among those included in the honours list are musician Rod Stewart, TV hosts Ant and Dec, and astronaut Tim Peake.

Wartime singer Vera Lynn, actor Brian Blessed and footballer Alan Shearer are also to receive honours.

The honours mark the Queen's 90th birthday.