Two politicians were removed from a prestigious royal body on the same day, amid backing for the monarch’s decision to strip honours from individuals convicted of serious offences.

Craig Williams and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson both had their positions on the Privy Council revoked on July 10, following unrelated controversies.

The council, established centuries ago as a fundamental part of governance, now serves as a formal advisory body to the sovereign regarding royal prerogative powers and the granting of charters.

Membership comprises sitting or former parliamentarians from both Houses, with individuals retaining their positions indefinitely unless stripped of the distinction.

As of August 2026, the body contains 741 members.

Williams had served as parliamentary private secretary to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from October 2022 until June 2024, and received his appointment to the council in November 2023.

Three days before the date of the 2024 general election was announced, he wagered £100 that the poll would take place in July.

The bet formed part of a broader controversy involving other Conservative Party members, prompting a referral to the Gambling Commission and the withdrawal of party support.

He subsequently lost his parliamentary seat and entered guilty pleas to gambling-related offences on June 29, 2026.

Donaldson led the Democratic Unionist Party from 2021 to 2024 and addressed the Oxford Union in 2004 during a widely reported debate, expressing support for a motion opposing talks with Sinn Féin.

He represented the Lagan Valley constituency in Westminster from 1997 to 2024 and served in the Northern Ireland Assembly between 2003 and 2010.

In June 2024, he received convictions for historic sexual abuse offences at Newry Crown Court, leading to his removal from the council.

He remains detained at Maghaberry Prison ahead of sentencing after being found guilty of 18 sexual offences, including one rape charge, concerning the abuse of two female victims during their childhoods between 1985 and 2008.

His solicitor John McBurney stated that appeal documentation has been submitted.

His knighthood was also rescinded, a decision welcomed by Liam Walker, leader of Oxfordshire Conservatives.

Walker commented that distinctions are conferred to acknowledge exceptional service and accomplishment, and that those found guilty of serious crimes forfeit the right to retain them.

He added that removing such honours helps safeguard the credibility and worth of the honours framework.

The removals follow earlier action by the monarch, who stripped more than 20 individuals of their distinctions during the previous year and earlier in 2026.

Among those affected was Julie Meyer, the former Dragons’ Den television personality, who was among twelve people to lose an honour during August 2025.

She had received her MBE for services to entrepreneurship in 2012, but the award was revoked for conduct that brought the honours system into disrepute.

This followed her receiving a six-month suspended sentence for contempt of court, having repeatedly failed to produce documentation and attend court hearings related to £200,000 in unpaid legal fees to Farrer & Co.

She had gained public recognition through her appearance on the online edition of Dragons’ Den in 2009.