Sir Iain Duncan Smith: Tory grandee receives knighthood in New Year Honours list 2019

Iain Duncan Smith has been knighted
AFP via Getty Images
Jacob Jarvis30 December 2019
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Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has been knighted in the New Year Honours list.

Mr Duncan Smith, who led the Conservatives between September 2001 and November 2003, is the highest profile political figure to be recognised.

He receives the honour for political and public service.

It comes after Mr Duncan Smith held on to his Chingford and Woodgreen seat during December's election vote, securing 23,481 votes.

Iain Duncan Smith was previously the Conservative Party leader
In Pictures via Getty Images

As well as his stint leading the Conservatives, he has held a number of high-profile roles, and was a major figure behind the controversial Universal Credit system.

His last cabinet role was as secretary of state for work and pensions, between 2010 and 2016.

An ardent Brexiteer, as a backbencher he was a leading light in the Tory European Research Group, which proved to be such a thorn in the side of Theresa May.

Another MP, Robert James Macgillivray Neill, known as Bob Neill, will also be knighted for political service.

Bob Neill has also been commended
PA Archive/PA Images

Mr Neill, 67, represents Bromley and Chislehurst.

He was previously leader of the Conservative Party in the London Assembly.

Labour MP Diana Johnson, who campaigned on behalf of victims of the NHS contaminated blood scandal, is made a dame.

The senior Labour MEP Claude Moraes, a long-standing campaigner for refugees and on justice and civil liberties issues, is made an OBE.

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