A BRADFORD MP has been recommended for a knighthood by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Shipley MP Philip Davies – whose wife is the Government’s “common sense” minister Esther McVey – has been recommended to be knighted for public and parliamentary service.

Speaking about the honour, Mr Davies said: “Obviously I’m absolutely delighted. I’m somewhat flabbergasted as well, to be honest.

“It feels very surreal and I’m somewhat in shock.”

He added: “I’m just immensely grateful to everybody who has enabled it to happen.”

Mr Davies has been MP for Shipley since 2005 and hosted a GB News show with wife Esther McVey until she gave up the presenting role to return to government as minister without portfolio in November 2023.

A major Tory donor and three other MPs have been recommended to receive knighthoods of the Prime Minister.

Businessman Mohamed Mansour, who gave £5 million to the Tories in 2023 and is a senior treasurer at the party, is being recognised for his contributions to business, charity, and political service.

Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds hit out at the Prime Minister for recommending the honour.

She said: “This is either the arrogant act of an entitled man who’s stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesn’t expect to be Prime Minister much longer.

“Either way, it shows a blatant disrespect for the office he should feel privileged to hold.”

Senior No 10 sources pointed to Sir Mohamed’s charitable work and record of public service, including support for The Prince’s Foundation – now The King’s Foundation – and a major contributor to St Paul’s Cathedral’s Remember Me project, which raised money for a physical memorial to those who died of Covid-19 in the UK.

The timing of the announcement, while Parliament is in recess and on the eve of the Easter bank holiday weekend, has also raised eyebrows.

Although sources said the timing of the honours was linked to the need to make appointments to the Privy Council, including the new First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething.

Another recipient of one of the honours is former sports minister Tracey Crouch, who led a review of football governance in the wake of proposals for a breakaway European Super League.

She has been recommended for a damehood for public and parliamentary service.

Farming minister Mark Spencer has also been recommended to be given a knighthood, while Treasury Select Committee chairwoman Harriett Baldwin has been put forward to become a dame.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party MP Gregor Campbell has been recommended for a CBE.

The Prime Minister recommended the honours to the King.