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Why is Keir Starmer a Sir & when did he get his knighthood? Labour leader’s Knight Commander award explained
Plus the huge cases he worked on during his law career
EVER since Sir Keir Starmer took over as Labour leader, onlookers have often wondered by he is a "Sir".
Being knighted is one of the most prestigious titles to be awarded in Britain, and it is given out by the monarchy.
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Why is Keir Starmer a Sir?
The Labour leader's official title is Sir Keir Starmer, but he prefers people not to use it.
He told the Ham & High newspaper that he has "never liked titles".
Starmer said: "When I was DPP, everyone called me director and I said, 'Please don't call me director, call me Keir Starmer'.
"It's a very similar battle now."
The politician is a sir because of his knighthood, which he received for "services to law and criminal justice".
He was Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) until 2013.
All of Sir Keir's predecessors in his DPP role also received knighthoods.
When did he get his knighthood?
Keir Starmer was knighted at Buckingham Palace in 2014.
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At the time the self-described socialist had just stepped down as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the Attorney General.
The DPP is the head of the CPS - meaning Starmer was responsible for some 7,000 staff and an estimated 800,000 prosecutions each year.
He held the role for five years, between 2008 and 2013.
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Why was Keir Starmer awarded a knighthood?
Mr Starmer was knighted for "services to law and criminal justice".
Throughout his illustrious law career he worked on a number of huge cases, the biggest ones included:
Stephen Lawrence
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Sir Keir was director of public prosecutions when two of Stephen Lawrence's killers were brought to justice.
The 18-year-old was killed on April 22, 1993, after he was set upon by a gang of white men in a racist attack.
He had been waiting for a bus with a friend when the gang attacked them.
Speaking at a memorial service to mark 30 years since Stephen had been killed, Sir Keir made a speech in memory of the teenager.
The politician said that, "in contrast against the very worst side of Britain, Stephen represented the best", and that he "represented a life which shone with the light of potential".
Ian Tomlinson
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Starmer was also responsible for the prosecution of a Metropolitan Police officer following the death of newspaper vendor Ian Tomlinson.
He died at the G20 protests in London on April 1, 2009.
The court heard how he was hit by a baton and pushed to the ground Pc Simon Harwood said that he had not intended to push him over.
Although he was cleared of manslaughter, PC Harwood was found guilty of gross misconduct by a Metropolitan Police disciplinary panel and sacked with immediate effect.
Chris Huhne
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As well as these, Sir Keir prosecuted Energy Secretary Chris Huhne and his former wife, Vicky Pryce for perverting the course of justice.
Huhne was the first politician in British history to resign over criminal charges.
It came after he admitted asking his wife to take his speeding points to avoid losing his licence in 2003.
Huhne served an eight month prison sentence for the crime.
When is the general election 2024?
The key points you need to know about the next UK General Election are:
The main date for your diaries is July 4, 2024, when millions of voters will go to the polls for the General Election.
But the process of formally triggering the election will take place on May 24, 2024 when Parliament is prorogued, signalling the end of the parliamentary year.
May 30, 2024 will see Parliament officially dissolved which means all current MPs cease to hold office and vacate their seats.
A crucial moment will be the release of the parties’ election manifestos where they set out their list of pledges for government.
After over a month of campaigning we then go to the polls.
Once votes have been counted, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister and to form a government.