Royal recognition was a surprise to Sir Adam

Former Labour MP is knighted in NewYear’s Honours

- JUDITH TONNER

Knighted Former Labour MP Adam Ingram was 'surprised' to receive the recognition

New knight Sir Adam Ingram says he was “surprised” to receive the prestigious royal recognition in the King’s New Year Honours List-and says his new title “takes a bit of getting used to!”

Rt Hon Sir Adam, the former MP who is East Kilbride’s longest-serving Westminster representative in the constituency's history, has been awarded the knighthood for parliamentary and political service, including his 23 years at Westminster and his decade serving as Minister for Northern Ireland and then Armed Forces.

Hetoldhowhe has received hundreds of messages of congratulations since the honour was announced last week, and among them was a personal letter from the prime minister praising his “remarkable contributions to society”.

Sir Adam told the East Kilbride News: “It came as a very pleasant surprise - you never expect this honour, so it was a great surprise and very much well received.

“I've been just inundated with messages from people, from friends of many years, people I've worked with in the past and some I haven't heard from in 20 years; I've had phone call after phone call, text after text and messages through social media.