The head of Brexit Party, Nigel Farage, is reportedly in line for a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, claimed Christopher Snowdon, a freelance journalist and fellow at the free market think-tank the Institute of Economic affairs. In a post on Twitter, Snowdon alleged that the former leader of the UK Independence Party might be awarded with a title and posted screens of chats with a well-known source, whom he did not identify, that also claimed that Farage himself had talked about being knighted for weeks.
Andrew Bridgen, member of the UK Conservative Party, has written a letter to the country’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on him to reward Mr Farage, an ardent Eurosceptic, for his work to deliver Brexit.
"Nigel's campaigned for 25 years for the policy of us leaving the European Union, ultimately which most of the electorate have agreed with and we are now implementing that policy", Bridgen said in an interview with ITV.
Things got really heated on social media, where users argue whether the 55-year-old politician should be awarded with a title.
Some users praised the idea, saying that Farage has served as the voice of the people and had rid his country of the European Union’s yoke.
Meanwhile, others branded the idea a joke and pointed to what they called fraudulent statements made by the politician during the campaigns on Brexit – in particular, a claim that the UK’s withdrawal from the bloc would result in 350 million pounds going to Britain’s National Health Service.
The Queen’s Honours list is divided into nine categories – arts and media, health, the parliamentary and political service, education, science and technology, economy, community, voluntary and local services, sports, and state. The list of nominees for state awards will be released on 27 December.