Starmer loyalist, two former Tory MPs and former civil servant dragged into Horizon scandal among those recognised in King's birthday honours

By INDERDEEP BAINS, CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT Published: 22:32, 12 June 2026 | Updated: 22:49, 12 June 2026 An ally of Sir Keir Starmer, two former senior Tory MPs and a former civil servant 'fan girl' who was dragged into the Horizon scandal, are among those recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) chairwoman Jessica Morden has been awarded a damehood following two decades as an MP for Newport East. In opposition, she served as Sir Keir's parliamentary aide and is seen as a key ally of the PM often described as the 'shop steward' for Labour MPs. Meanwhile, Sarah Munby, who was permanent secretary for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has been awarded a companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for public service. The 44-year-old was at the centre of a fierce row after ex-Post Office boss Henry Staunton claimed she told him to stall compensation to wrongly convicted sub postmasters in 2023. Ms Munby, who once described herself as 'fan girl' of the civil service, swiftly and categorically denied the allegations and was backed by government figures including then Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch. Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) chairwoman Jessica Morden has been awarded a damehood following two decades as an MP for Newport East Sarah Munby, who was permanent secretary for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has been awarded a companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for public service Also knighted is campaigner, political diarist and former Labour minister Chris Mullin, 78, who was MP for Sunderland South from 1987 until 2010 Former head of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy has received a damehood. She led the force through the Southport murders and subsequent riots Among the other political awards this year were knighthoods for former Conservative MPs David Gauke and Greg Hands. Sir David served as a Cabinet minister under Theresa May, including as justice secretary, but was suspended by Boris Johnson after rebelling over Brexit, subsequently losing his seat in 2019. But it is his work on the independent sentencing review commissioned by the current Government that has seen him knighted. Sir David's review recommended an overhaul of the justice system to avoid overcrowding prisons, including scrapping most jail sentences of under 12 months. Also knighted is political diarist and former Labour minister Chris Mullin, 78, who was MP for Sunderland South from 1987 until 2010. In policing, the former head of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy has received a damehood. Dame Serena, who retired as chief constable last summer, led the force during a number of high-profile incidents in the area, including the Southport murders and subsequent riots. The former chief constable, who is now working in consulting, said she was 'shocked' when she received a letter informing her of her damehood in the King's Birthday Honours. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.