Call for overhaul of honours system

Too many honours are awarded to politicians, celebrities and civil servants rather than to people who devote time and effort to sport and their local communities, MPs said today.

The Commons Public Administration Select Committee condemned the granting of knighthoods to businessmen and senior officials for simply "doing the day job".

It called for a radical overhaul of the system, with the stripping out of all political influence and the creation of an independent honours commission, in order to restore credibility in the eyes of the public.

In its report, the committee said that honours should only be given for "exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty".