Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has defended the knighthood conferred upon former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair by Queen Elizabeth II.
when i was a bit younger, coaches getting me to the games and then my friends around me, that support bubble that i have, without their support i would not have been here today. so i suppose it is for everyone, really, notjust me. yet another honour for the brightest new star of tennis. an mbe for the us open champion emma raducanu after what, for her, and for british sport, has been an unforgettable year. andy swiss, bbc news. separately from the main new year s honours list, buckingham palace has announced that tony blair will receive a knighthood. the former prime minister will be appointed a knight companion of the most noble order of the garter the oldest and most senior british order of chivalry. joining him, as the first black member of the order, is lady amos who served in his cabinet. let s talk more about the new year honours list with our political correspondent chris mason.