The Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) is a distinguished title, a symbol of high honor.
However, recent events have brought to light the rare act of stripping someone of such an honor.
Paula Vennells, the former chief executive of the Post Office, found herself at the center of this controversy.
The Honours Forfeiture Committee, acting on the advice of the King, decided to strip Vennells of her CBE, citing that she had 'brought the honours system into disrepute.
'Despite Vennells' intention to voluntarily return her honor, the process doesn't work that way.
The possession of the rank continues until the monarch decides to remove it, prompting the individual to send back the actual medal to Buckingham Palace.
A recent incident involving the clothes designer Katharine Hamnett, who publicly discarded her CBE, emphasizes the complexity and misunderstandings surrounding this process.
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Unusual Cases: Wiley's MBE Forfeiture
The stripping of honors is an unusual occurrence, typically tied to criminal convictions.Last week, grime artist Wiley forfeited his MBE due to a series of anti-Semitic remarks made on social media.
This case, like Vennells', deviates from the norm, as honours forfeitures usually stem from criminal convictions.
The Invulnerability of Peerages
Interestingly, the gravest of honors, a peerage, appears to be immune to such forfeitures.The case of Nazir Ahmed, a former chair of the South Yorkshire Labour party, illustrates this point.
Despite serving time for attempted rape and serious sexual assault, Ahmed retains his title of 'Baron Ahmed of Rotherham.
'The House of Lords library asserts that the Crown lacks the power to cancel a peerage, and only an act of parliament can remove such a title.
Lords and Legal Troubles: Archer, Taylor, and Mone
The discussion extends to other peers with legal troubles.Jeffrey Archer, convicted of perjury, still holds the title of Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare.
Lord Taylor of Warwick, convicted of fraudulent expense claims, remains active in the House of Lords.
Baroness (Michelle) Mone of Mayfair faces an ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency regarding potential financial misconduct.
The Need for Legislative Action: A Modern Titles Deprivation Act
Reflecting on historical precedents, including the Titles Deprivation Act of 1917, prompts the question of whether a new Titles Deprivation Act is overdue.The historical act stripped titles from individuals involved in the First World War on the opposing side.
With current challenges to the integrity of the honours system, the prospect of legislative action becomes a pertinent consideration.
The saga extends to the judiciary, where Tan Ikram, a recipient of the CBE for 'services to judicial diversity,' faces scrutiny.
His 'like' on a social media post supporting anti-Israel sentiments and questionable decisions in a legal case have raised concerns about judicial impartiality.
The Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to take action, coupled with Ikram's claim of a 'genuine mistake,' leaves lingering doubts.
Conclusion: A Call for Clarity and Reform
In a society where honorific titles are revered, recent events highlight the need for clarity and potential legislative reforms.The complexities surrounding the forfeiture of honors, especially peerages, raise questions about the adaptability of the current system to modern challenges.
As controversies unfold, the public calls for a system that maintains the integrity of honors while ensuring accountability for those who breach the trust associated with these prestigious titles.
