Heroes of Grenfell, Manchester and London miss out on New Year honours as officials say they need more time to decide if they’re worthy… but nearly half of gongs go to MPs
Campaigners accuse the government of cronyism as brave rescuers involved in tragedies at Westminster, London Bridge, Manchester Arena and Grenfell tower are left out of honours list
FURY erupted yesterday after heroes of the Grenfell Tower inferno and terror attacks were “snubbed” in the New Year’s honours.
Cops, firefighters, paramedics and civilians missed out while MPs and civil servants scooped up a bumper crop of gongs.
Last night, the government insisted detailed consideration was being given to all nominations, insisting “this takes time”.
There is “no official deadline” for honours nominations, a spokesman said, but there is usually a 12 to 18-month process for applications to be considered.
But some angry politicians claimed the process should have been rushed through to take account of the exceptional circumstances.
Labour MP Jack Dromey said: “How can it be right that Theresa May rewards cronies with honours yet not one firefighter or police officer who put their lives on the line?
“Most people will want to recognise these brave people. I don’t accept the argument that six months on is too soon for a decision to be made. Many people will see this as a snub.
“An exception could be made, as 2017 saw the most serious terrorist attacks on our country in a generation.”
Fellow MP Karen Buck added: “We have a duty as a society to bow our heads in recognition of what incredible things people did that night and in the aftermath.”
Grenfell firefighters were the nation’s top heroes of 2017, according to an Opinium Research poll out yesterday.
An overwhelming 45 per cent of people made them their first choice for acts of courage and bravery.
Serval people were praised for their response to the Grenfell blaze and the terror attacks at Manchester Arena, London Bridge and Westminster.
These included police constable Wayne Marques, who fought off the three London Bridge terrorists with a baton despite losing sight in one eye.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Paula Robinson was dubbed the Angel of Manchester for guiding 50 children to safety after the attack on Ariana Grande concert.
The dozens of firemen who responded to the Grenfell fire also received widespread praise, with Dany Cotton, the first woman commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, saying they showed exceptional heroism.
Gavin Callaghan, Labour group leader on Basildon Council, remarked it was “incredible that the New Year’s honours list contains not one firefighter, police officer, paramedic or other emergency service personnel involved in the Grenfell tragedy or the Manchester and London terrorist attacks.”
Joe Delaney, a member of the local council’s Grenfell recovery scrutiny committee, said it showed “where the Government’s priorities lie”.
He asked: “What about people who helped at Grenfell, or people who stepped in to help at the London Bridge attack or Manchester Arena?”
Grenfell campaigner Yvette Williams said the New Year’s Honours should have recognised the emergency services who dealt with the fire tragedy at Grenfell Tower.
She said it gives the impression the event is being downplayed and moved to one side.
Ms Williams, who helps run the group Justice4Grenfell set up in the aftermath of the fire, told the Sun on Sunday: “All the emergency services who played a role should be recognised.
“We would have expected there to be a Grenfell connection in some kind of way.
“From the firefighters, the A&E staff, those who took calls on the emergency services line and stayed on the phone with people until they perished.
“It looks like Grenfell is being downplayed and moved to one side. It seems to be the culture of No 10 where it kind of defines and almost confines what happened at Grenfell. It’s becoming alarming.
“If the Queen can recognise Grenfell in her Christmas Day speech, then No 10, the Cabinet Office, should have recognised at least one service who supported on the day or in the aftermath.”
Charlotte Hodgson, 37, who lost her 15-year-old daughter Olivia Campbell in the Manchester Arena bomb, said the government should honour “real people”.
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She said: “The emergency responders should definitely be honoured because they went above and beyond the call of duty.
“Real people should be honoured rather than the all these government cronies getting awards. They’re far more deserving.’
“They say it’s just a job but what we have faced in this country in the last few months with terror attacks and the Grenfell fire means they have done much more.”
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “Following significant and tragic events such as Grenfell, it’s important to take time to get a comprehensive set of nominations that can be considered together.
The Cabinet Office is currently seeking nominations in relation to Grenfell and the terrible terrorist attacks in London and Manchester. A public appeal for nominations was made at a Press briefing last week, and we will be working with communities to get nominations prepared and received.
The significant acts of courage, support and community spirit witnessed in response to these dreadful events are humbling, and will be honoured at the earliest opportunity.”
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