Tory donor bemoans 'unjust ruling' after losing his CBE

A top Tory donor and peer has hit back at what he said was an unjust ruling after being stripped of his CBE following a series of controversies, including making derogatory remarks about Pakistanis and harassing a journalist.

- MILLIE COOKE

Lord Rami Ranger, who has donated around £1.5m to the Conservative Party since 2009, was made a CBE in 2016 for services to business and community cohesion.

But a notice published in the London Gazette yesterday said the King had directed Lord Ranger's CBE to be "cancelled and annulled". The Tory peer hit back at the decision, saying he would explore "various legal avenues" to challenge the decision.

A spokesperson for Lord Ranger said he has "not committed any crime nor has he broken any law, where the majority of the people who have had their honour revoked in this way have committed a crime or broken the law".

"Lord Ranger is devastated that the CBE awarded to him for his services to British business and for promoting community cohesion has been taken away. It is a sad indictment that the honours system which is designed to empower individuals who go the extra mile and, as a result, contribute a great deal to the nation should be used to curtail the basic fundamental rights of free speech and thought process", the spokesperson added.