Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly nominated arch-Remainer David Gauke for a knighthood despite his years of trying to unpick the result of the Brexit referendum. The former MP, who chaired an independent review into sentencing reform for the Prime Minister, is set to be bunged the gong in what critics have slammed as a "stitch-up".

In the 2024 General Election, he backed a Rejoin EU candidate in his own constituency, before being appointed by Sir Keir to lead a review into prison sentencing in October.

Furious Conservative Campaign Headquarters officials blasted news of the gong, saying that party leader Kemi Badenoch would never have put him forward for a knighthood.

A spokesman told the Express that Mrs Badenoch was "absolutely livid" with No 10's decision and accused Sir Keir of sneaking the appointment through "to stop Kemi vetoing it."

"Now he’s doing Labour’s bidding on sentencing," a furious insider blasted, adding that he had "bagged himself a knighthood".

The insider branded the reported handout a "total Starmer stitch-up".

Speculation on honours is not something the Government, or Whitehall, comment on.

Since being ousted from his parliamentary seat, Mr Gauke has thrown his support behind Prosper UK, a Conservative pressure group branded "wets" by its critics.

The group, set up this year by moderate Tories Ruth Davidson and Andy Street, seeks to find policy "with a growing economy people can feel and a politics grounded in practical solutions".