By Publisher Ray Carmen
The full list — and why Britain’s highest distinctions can be taken away
Fifteen individuals have forfeited British honours during 2026, according to the Cabinet Office’s official register updated on 1 October. The list includes a former political leader, a former Royal Navy chief and a decorated rugby international.
The honours involved range from MBEs and OBEs to a knighthood and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. The official reasons include criminal convictions, professional censure and conduct judged to have brought the honours system into disrepute.
The decisions were recorded in three groups: nine in March, one in July and five in October. The King gives formal approval following a recommendation made through the established forfeiture process.
THE COMPLETE OFFICIAL LIST
Names, former honours and official grounds for forfeiture, as recorded by the Cabinet Office.
| # | Individual | Honour | Reason Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARCH 2026 | |||
| 1 | Ian Ashbolt | MBE (2016) | Criminal conviction |
| 2 | Lloyd Hamilton | MBE (2011) | Criminal conviction |
| 3 | Angela Middleton | MBE (2019) | Bringing honours system into disrepute |
| 4 | Nigel O’Connor | MBE (2015) | Professional censure |
| 5 | Tony Reilly | OBE (2011) | Professional censure |
| 6 | Paul Rose | MBE (2002) | Criminal conviction |
| 7 | Anant Shah | OBE (2020) | Bringing honours system into disrepute |
| 8 | Graham Trewhella | MBE (2010) | Criminal conviction |
| 9 | Stuart Hogg | MBE (2024) | Criminal conviction |
| JULY 2026 | |||
| 10 | Jeffrey Donaldson | Knight Bachelor (2016) | Criminal conviction |
| OCTOBER 2026 | |||
| 11 | Ben Key | KCB (2021), CBE (2016) | Professional censure |
| 12 | Maqsood Ahmad | OBE (2010) | Bringing honours system into disrepute |
| 13 | Ian Hudson | OBE (2020) | Criminal conviction |
| 14 | Nirpal Riat | OBE (2011) | Bringing honours system into disrepute |
| 15 | Charles Montegriffo | MBE (2007) | Criminal conviction |
HIGH-PROFILE NAMES
Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, lost the knighthood he received in 2016. The official July entry identifies a criminal conviction as the reason. He was subsequently sentenced in October 2026 for historical sexual offences.
Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg forfeited his MBE, awarded in 2024, after a domestic abuse conviction. Ben Key, previously the Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord, lost both his KCB and CBE; the Cabinet Office gives professional censure as the grounds.
WHO DECIDES WHETHER AN HONOUR IS REMOVED?
It would be misleading to suggest that King Charles simply selected 15 people for punishment. The Honours Forfeiture Committee examines established findings, including criminal convictions and professional sanctions. Its recommendations are submitted through the Prime Minister to the King, whose approval formally revokes an honour.
Those whose honours are forfeited must stop using their former titles or post-nominal letters and are asked to return the insignia to Buckingham Palace. The Forfeiture Committee is not a court and does not independently determine criminal guilt.
ROYAL RECOGNITION, PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY
British honours are given in recognition of public service, achievement and distinction. Forfeiture underscores that recipients are expected to uphold standards of conduct after recognition is granted.
An honour may be bestowed by the Crown, but the responsibility of retaining it belongs to the recipient.