The Hindu : International : Knighthood for John Major

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 24, 2005

International

International

Knighthood for John Major

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: The former British Conservative Prime Minister, John Major (in the picture), has been awarded a knighthood, and will now be known as "Sir John.'' He said he was "absolutely thrilled'' and "delighted'' at being given Britain's highest award for chivalry. The quaint-sounding Order of the Garter, given to all Prime Ministers on their retirement, will be presented by the Queen at a ceremony in Windsor Castle in June. Sir John, who joins the ranks of two other former living Conservative Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Edward Heath, left office in 1997 after a crushing electoral defeat at the hands of Tony Blair's New Labour. Three years ago, he hit the headlines after admitting that he had had a secret affair with Edwina Currie, a Minister in his Cabinet. He called it the "most shameful'' event of his life but insisted that his wife, Norma, had known about it. His wife is already a Dame having been honoured for charity work six years ago.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Manmohan compliments Musharraf

Asia, Africa should end energy dependence: Manmohan

Knighthood for John Major

Differences in Pakistan Opposition come to the fore

Japan to extend `anti-terror mission' in Indian Ocean

"Kashmir issue will be resolved in three years"

Police investigator missing

China agrees to finance Gwadar deepening project

Bush upset over Bolton delay

9 soldiers killed in Iraq blast

Islamists fare well in Saudi poll

Push for extra aid for Congo