'Backroom girl' Jessica awarded damehood for services to Labour Party

LONG-SERVING Labour MP and ally of Sir Keir Starmer has been made a dame in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS and LOIS McCARTHY

The annual list saw Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) chairwoman Jessica Morden awarded a damehood following two decades as an MP.

The Newport East MP is one of more than 1,000 people across the UK and 84 in Wales being recognised in today’s gongs.

Describing herself as “mostly a backroom girl” Dame Jessica served as general secretary of Welsh Labour from 1999 until her election as MP for Newport East in 2005.

In opposition, she served as Sir Keir’s parliamentary aide and has been seen as a key ally of the Prime Minister, becoming chairwoman of the PLP - often described as the “shop steward” for Labour MPs - after the 2024 election.

Reacting to her damehood, she said: “It’s clearly been its own reward and privilege to be the MP for Newport East for the past 21 years. However, it’s very kind to be acknowledged for the work that I've done in the Labour Party over the last 35 years, much of it behind the scenes.”

Also honoured was fashion designer David Emanuel, the man who created the wedding dress of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Emanuel, who receives an MBE for his work with Macmillan Cancer Support, praised the “brave” King for his openness about his cancer diagnosis.

Mr Emanuel, 73, and his former wife Elizabeth designed Diana’s dress for her wedding to the then-Prince of Wales in 1981. He said: “I had prostate cancer about 12 years ago.”

He said during his treatment he discussed his illness with a Macmillan nurse who encouraged him to speak out about his diagnosis.

“And I did and I got loads of replies,” Mr Emanuel said. “It was quite amazing. Because of that Macmillan asked, would I be an ambassador for them?