1. One area of public concern addressed in the Westminster investigation is how the honours system responds to allegations of child sexual abuse against those being considered for an honour and those who have already been granted an honour.

2. Honours are distinct from appointments.^[1] This investigation is largely concerned with the New Year’s and Queen’s Birthday Honours Lists. Those lists in fact comprise three sections, of which we are concerned with the Prime Minister’s List, from which the vast majority of honours emanate. Other lists are smaller and administered separately.^[2] All honours are awarded by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.^[3] There is also a separate list of honours awarded by the Queen to members of her household.^[4]