Jeffrey Donaldson, a prominent Northern Ireland politician, is set to relinquish his knighthood and his seat on the Privy Council. The decision was confirmed in a statement issued by his solicitor, John McBurney. Donaldson was awarded a knighthood in 2016.
Honors in the United Kingdom are bestowed by the reigning monarch and can only be formally revoked by the monarch. Cases for revocation are reviewed by the independent Honours Forfeiture Committee, which forwards its recommendations to the prime minister before a final decision is made by the King. This committee, part of the Cabinet Office, has been in existence for approximately 50 years and convenes as needed.
An honor can be withdrawn or forfeited for various reasons, including criminal convictions and actions that bring the honors system into disrepute. Specifically, the committee automatically considers cases where an individual has been convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to more than three months imprisonment, has been found guilty of a sexual offense, or has been determined to have committed a sexual offense following a 'trial of the facts'.
Should an honor be forfeited, the individual is required to return their insignia to Buckingham Palace and is prohibited from making any further reference to having held the honor. While individuals can voluntarily renounce an honor, it remains formally held until annulled by the King.