Johnson’s honours list spells more trouble for Sunak

Another day, another episode in the ongoing Johnson-Sunak psychodrama. Following clashes over the Stormont brake and the Covid inquiry, Rishi Sunak is now prepared to wave through his predecessor’s honours list – nine months after his resignation. The ongoing delay in the publication of the list has been a source of tension between the pair. But the Times reports today that Sunak has accepted the precedent that outgoing prime ministers should be entitled to make appointments. The list is expected to be published and approved before the summer parliamentary recess.

The names on Johnson’s list have been subject to endless gossip in Westminster, with the number of appointees slashed from almost 100 to around 50: in line with the numbers submitted by Theresa May and David Cameron. Michael Gove – who is tipped for a knighthood – is one of those expected to miss out in the cull. Four MPs, though, are expected to be in line for peerages: Nigel Adams, Alister Jack, Nadine Dorries and Alok Sharma.