MP Sir Teddy Taylor today attacked a shake-up of the honours system which could see knighthoods consigned to the dustbin.
Sir Teddy - one of the few knights in Essex - said there was nothing wrong with the present system which is set to be overhauled by the Government.
An influential all-party committee of MPs today recommended an end to the titles Sir and Dame and removal of the word Empire from OBEs (Order of the British Empire).
The automatic award of honours to civil servants and diplomats was criticised by the Public Administration Committee.
However, Sir Teddy, Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, said the system does not require an overhaul.
He said: "The Empire is something we should be proud of and it was a time when we gave so much to poorer countries. Why are people changing it?"
Published Tuesday July 13, 2004
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