Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he is “delighted” to receive a knighthood in Boris Johnson’s honours list.
The ex-Brexit Minister, who stood loyally behind Johnson throughout his turbulent premiership, spoke to GB News colleague Michelle Dewberry about his new title.
Sir Jacob said: “I am obviously delighted and very honoured and flattered that Boris Johnson put me on his list.”
The GB News presenter added: “Resignation honours are political honours given to people who have supported an outgoing Prime Minister.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg discussed his knighthood on GB News
GB News
“In a way, in normal circumstances, the last opportunity for a politician who has reached the top of the pile to thank those people who helped him along the way.
“Boris Johnson has been very generous in including me on that list.”
Rees-Mogg challenged those who have criticised the honours list, claiming: “An outgoing Prime Minister has done a great service to this country whether you agree with his policies or not.”
Knighthoods were also given to ex-Northern Ireland Minister Conor Burns, former Levelling-Up Secretary Simon Clarke and Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant.
Former Prime Minister Boris JohnsonPASarah Vaughan-Brown, formerly personal adviser to Johnson’s third-wife Carrie, was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her political and public service.
The 48-year-old's role included walking the couple's four-legged pet Dilyn.
Parliament’s hairdresser Kelly Dodge was separately made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service in Westminster.
A total of seven people were also made life peers in the House of Lords.
Jacob Rees-Mogg previously served as Brexit Opportunities Minister
PAEx-Tory Party political director Ross Kempsell, former special adviser Charlotte Owen, London Assembly Member Shaun Bailey, ex-aide Ben Gascoigne, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, ex-City Hall adviser Kulveer Ranger and former Downing Street chief of staff Daniel Rosenfield will enter the upper chamber.
Ex-Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and former COP26 President Alok Sharma were not listed on Johnson's peerages list.
Dorries, a staunch ally to the former Prime Minister, resigned with immediate effect earlier today sparking a by-election in her Mid Bedfordshire constituency.
The 66-year-old previously suggested she would hold out until the next election but quit following a "significant" change.
The decision not to include any serving MPs on Johnson's peerages list means Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will avoid having to defend any by-elections as a direct result of his former boss' resignation rewards.