Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has disclosed a confidential honours “blacklist” comprising over 400 celebrities deemed ineligible for official gongs due to concerns over their tax affairs. The Sun on Sunday has revealed that HMRC categorises these individuals according to tax risk, placing 33 in a “high risk” group and 377 in a “medium risk” bracket.
An official transparency statement explains: “The Honours and Appointments Secretariat may request HMRC’s advice concerning any potential risks posed to the Government and the Crown by honours candidates in relation to their tax affairs. These checks are conducted on a proportionate basis, considering the level of honour and the individual’s public profile.”
The process begins with public nominations, which are then scrutinised by committees under the Cabinet Office’s oversight. HMRC assesses candidates' tax compliance and flags any issues before the Cabinet Office submits the final list to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s approval precedes the formal presentation of honours by the King.
This list has come to light following a report in The Telegraph suggesting that golfer Rory McIlroy was overlooked in the New Year Honours list after interventions from tax officials. McIlroy, who was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, was notably absent from the honours, raising speculation about the influence of his tax status.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party clarified the process: “Our role is to provide a low, medium or high tax-risk assessment, when requested, to inform the honours process. The main honours committee considers this risk rating along with other information when deciding whether to recommend the award of an honour.”
Addressing the issue in a press conference in June, McIlroy expressed uncertainty about the matter. “I have no idea,” he said when asked if his financial affairs affected his omission. “If that honour were bestowed on me one day, that would be amazing, but yeah, I have no idea.”