Sir Keir Starmer makes Rory McIlroy knighthood decision after Masters | Golf | Sport
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman reportedly said they did not know if he watched the Masters (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer will reportedly not intervene with the honours committees over a potential knighthood for Rory McIlroy. The Northern Ireland Executive in Stormont nominated him for a knighthood last year after calls to do so led by the Ulster Unionist Party.
McIlroy, 36, however, did not feature on the New Year Honours list, and The Telegraph reported that HMRC officials intervened due to concerns about his tax history. The precise nature of the alleged issues are unclear; however, the Northern Irishman has previously invested in a “regeneration project” alongside 182 others, which HMRC investigated for tax avoidance.
It was not illegal, nor was it confirmed to be the reason for his knighthood snub last year. McIlroy said in 2013 he was happy with his involvement and there is no suggestion he has ever deliberately sought to dodge his tax obligations.
The Telegraph also claimed a Whitehall source drew comparisons to Sir David Beckham‘s wait for a knighthood due to a ‘red flag’ before receiving the honour in the King’s Birthday Honours this year.
It remains unclear whether the issues behind McIlroy’s snub last year had been resolved with a spokesman for the golfer and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Cabinet Office declining to comment.
However, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman made clear that any decision over a knighthood would not be for Starmer to make. He said: “We never comment on honours, and that is a question for the committee, not for me. But, clearly, it’s a fantastic result for Rory McIlroy, tremendous achievement and a huge, huge achievement to have done it in successive years.”
However, they reportedly could not confirm whether the Prime Minister watched McIlroy win on Sunday night. The spokesperson did, though, make clear that panels of independent experts on the honours committees would be the ones to bestow any honour.
After his latest major win, the Royal Family‘s official social media accounts paid tribute to the 36-year-old. They said: “Congratulations Rory McIlroy on your extraordinary back-to-back win at the Masters.”
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Rory McIlroy received an MBE after winning his first major in 2011 and he was said to be “humbled” (Image: Getty)
McIlroy is already an MBE, receiving that title in 2011 after winning his first major, the US Open. Featuring on that year’s New Year Honours list is said to have left him “humbled”. He said at the time: “Many people on the honours list have made huge personal sacrifices and contributed significantly to society during their lives. I feel very fortunate to be in their company.”
The golfer also spoke about potentially becoming a Sir with Sky Sports in November. He said: “If that were ever to happen, it would be an unbelievably massive honour. That’s obviously up to people a lot more powerful and important than me, but if it were to happen one day, it would be a very proud moment in my life.”
The then Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mike Nesbitt, said last year that McIlroy deserved the highest praise the nation could bestow, saying: “For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sportspeople have become icons in their fields. Think George Best, Mike Gibson, and Mary Peters, to name just three.
“Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them, and with the grand slam monkey off his back, looks set for even more success. This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that.”
Calls for the PGA Tour legend to finally be knighted grew again on Monday, with many making the demand on the social media after his second successive Masters triumph.
