Odds shorten on Nigel Farage knighthood ahead of honours announcement

Updated
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks at Barnby Memorial Hall whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks at Barnby Memorial Hall in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the General Election campaign trail. (PA Images)

Odds on Nigel Farage receiving a knighthood have shortened ahead of the release of the New Year’s Honours list later this week.

The Brexit Party leader could become Sir Nigel if punters placing bets recently are proven correct.

He has been promoted for the honour by a Tory MP who wrote to Boris Johnson last week saying he believed Mr Farage’s campaigning for Brexit deserved reward.

But it has provoked the ire of critics of Mr Farage who believe his “divisive” politics mean he should not be awarded an honour.

And though his odds have shortened since last week, in the bookies’ eyes he is still behind other public figures, including ex-PM David Cameron and rapper Stormzy.

A spokesman for PaddyPower said the latter “has made a huge impact on society, generally falling out with the numpties, and pushing for progress”.

“No wonder he’s more likely to be knighted than Nigel Farage.”

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Mr Farage’s odds tumbled from 5/1 last week to 2/1, PaddyPower said, before drifting to 3/1 today.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, lawyer and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu said Mr Farage had created division for political gain and that it would be “irresponsible” to grant him the honour.

Last week, Tory MP Andrew Bridgen wrote to the Prime Minister to say: “I am... writing to recommend that the Government should honour Nigel Farage with a knighthood to reward the work he has undertaken over many years to advance the case for the UK leaving the European Union.”

Recently, Mr Farage had rejected the idea of being given a peerage – a separate honour to a knighthood – and allowed to sit in the House of Lords.

“And every time this gets said my answer is the same – I’m not for sale, I’m not interested, I don’t want anything,” he said in November.

Cricketer Ben Stokes is the favourite to become a knight, following his Ashes heroics in the summer, while Mary Berry and Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman are the favourites to be made dames.

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