A BID to award former Blackburn MP Jack Straw’s son a CBE has been described as ‘scandalous’.

Will Straw, former executive director for the Britain Stronger in Europe Campaign, has been earmarked for the accolade in David Cameron’s resignation honours list which was leaked at the weekend.

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The former Labour Party candidate for the Rossendale and Darwen constituency in 2015 was one of dozens of nominations including more than 20 Downing Street staff.

It was reported that Mr Cameron had also recommended knighthoods for four pro-EU cabinet colleagues – Philip Hammond, Michael Fallon, Patrick McLoughlin and David Lidington.

Mr Straw was also involved in the ‘Yes to AV’ referendum campaign which lost the 2011 poll.

Will Straw was unavailable to comment and Jack Straw declined to comment yesterday.

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Burnley Council and a former MP, said: “I think it’s scandalous.

“These gongs were supposed to be awarded to people who have committed a lot of hard work and dedication to the community, not to someone who’s trying to deliver a political message.

“An example in Burnley would be Stan Heaton, he gained his MBE after putting in hundreds and hundreds of hours working with children.

“He took them off the streets and got them playing cricket, often helping youngsters turn their lives around.

“It demeans the value of the awards to those who fully deserve it.

“It’s the same with knighthoods, people would only get a knighthood if they did something exceptional.”

The proposed list has not yet been approved or officially made public.

Amongst those reported to be recommended for an OBE is Isabel Spearman, who helped Samantha Cameron with her diary and outfits for various engagements.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “There needs to be a look into the whole honour system.

“There are hundreds of people who do not work in the political lime-light who carry out great work every single day, but will never get looked at.

“I don’t know what criteria David Cameron based his nominations on but maybe it would be good if everyone was given a strong idea of what they were.

“From what I gather a lot of the nominations came from Mr Cameron’s party, it would be good to see a wide-range of people being nominated.

“I have met Will a couple of times when he stood for Darwen and Rossendale, he’s a bright young man, well spoken and polite.

“But as I said before, I do not know enough about Mr Cameron’s criteria to see if Will deserved the role or not.”

It was also reported that Mr Cameron recommended knighthoods for major Tory donors Ian Taylor and Andrew Cook.

Ribble Valley Council leader Stuart Hirst said: “I’m puzzled as to what contribution he made to warrant the nomination.”

Nominations for honours are reviewed by honours committees, which include senior civil servants and people judged to be independent of government.

The final list goes to the prime minister and then the Queen.