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.
Sir Keir Starmer was knighted in 2014AFP
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.”
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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.
Keir Starmer has described himself as a socialist
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
Stephen Lawrence died at the hands of a racist attackAFP
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
Ian Tomlinson was killed during the G20 protestsPA:Press Association
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
Chris Huhne was jailed for his crimeAFP
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.
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