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Conservative MP Eric Pickles To Be Knighted

Conservative MP Eric Pickles To Be Knighted

The former Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is to be knighted for services to local government, Downing Street has announced.

The Conservative politician will be made a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his public service as an MP, a former Cabinet minister and his work in local politics, No 10 said.

Mr Pickles, who first became an MP from Brentwood and Ongar in Essex in 1992, lost his frontbench role after the general election.

The 63-year-old said his family were "absolutely delighted" and he was looking forward to his visit to Buckingham Palace.

He said: "I'm obviously very pleased with the honour and am looking forward to my day at the Palace.

"When I left the Cabinet the Prime Minister asked if I would accept a knighthood and I indicated that I would but it then has to go through a committee. I'm very pleased."

He had previously been a councillor in Bradford where he chaired several local government committees before becoming the authority's Conservative group's leader.

While the Conservatives were in opposition, Mr Pickles held the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government from 2002 to 2004 and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government from 2007 to 2009.

He also spent a spell as Conservative Party Chairman before the party entered the coalition government.

After David Cameron became Prime Minister, he made Mr Pickles Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, where he remained until the reshuffle following the last General Election.

Among the issues he was vocal about were the use of CCTV to police parking, institutional abuse in local councils and the response of authorities during the devastating floods of early 2014.

Mr Pickles, who was quick to respond to his appointment by changing his name on Twitter to Sir Eric Pickles, tweeted that he was "really pleased".

He also posted on Facebook what he said was a "very kind and generous" letter that he had been sent by the Prime Minister after his departure from Cabinet.

The letter, which had a handwritten postscript thanking him for all his "sage advice over the years" said: "You have been such a hardworking, dedicated and committed colleague over the past years - it has been a real joy to work with you and you have brought so much to our team.

"I really could not wish for a better 'chum' in Parliament.

"It is testament to your expertise and passion for local Government that you have held this important portfolio for eleven of the past twelve years."