Portrait of the Week – 8 January 2005

To relieve the survivors of the destructive wave in the Indian Ocean, British people donated £60 million in a week to the disaster emergency committee co-ordinated by the main aid charities. The Queen, who herself gave a substantial donation, said: ‘I have been impressed by the willingness of people in Britain to give generously.’ Mr Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, remained on a seaside holiday in Egypt, which some people criticised on various grounds. ‘At first it seemed a terrible disaster,’ he said, ‘but I think as the days have gone on people have recognised it as a global disaster.’ He returned to a domestic manifesto wrangle with Mr Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Among the New Year’s honours, Professor Brian Harrison and Mr Matthew Pinsent were knighted, Miss Kelly Holmes and Mrs Tanni Grey-Thompson made dames, Mr Quentin Blake, Mr John Lill, Mr Simon Gray, Mr Roger Daltrey, Professor Lisa Jardine, Ms Anna Massey, Mr Eric Sykes and Mr Alan Whicker were appointed CBE.