On questions about Nadhim Zahawi allegedly being blocked from receiving an honour, the Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters just now: "I can’t get into the speculation about honours lists and who was or wasn’t included in any individual list."

Asked if it would hypothetically be appropriate for someone to serve as a minister but not to receive a knighthood, the spokesman replied: "I think on this one that is a hypothetical situation, so one I wouldn’t get into."

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