Apart from the fact that it was the British banking industry that caused the near-meltdown of the British banking industry (you need to stop reading The Sun

) you are right in the fact that he is a spectacular tool lol

I don't read The Scum. But feel free to tell me which organisation had oversight of the regulation of the British banking industry, if it wasn't the FSA? As the Indy wrote:

[iIn a controversial decision, Hector Sants, the former chief executive of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has been recognised for services to financial regulation despite his leading role in an organisation accused of being "asleep at the wheel" before the collapse of Northern Rock. Sir Hector also rubber-stamped RBS's disastrous acquisition of ABN Amro, which contributed to its downfall. He has since won praise for his work reforming the FSA but resigned this year and caused further controversy by joining Barclays as its head of compliance. He is believed to be in line for a £3m pay package.[/i

I'm trying to think of the most prestigious person that I have spoken to but can't bring one to mind...


...no still can't think of one.

Put me down for standing next to Lord Harewood (Queens cousin no less) at the cash machine and we'll leave it at that.

I've just thought of one - The Honourable Simon Howard of Castle Howard fame, I nodded and said "Hello" to him when strolling through his dining room one day - I was visiting in tourist mode of course.

He nodded back and also said "Hello".

Although it might not have been him, I told my wife that The Honourable SImon Howard has just spoken to me and pointed him out, walking away from us, she just said "Thats not him you idiot"

She could have been right, the chap I spoke to was wearing overalls and carrying a folding table to somewhere, but he LOOKED like The Honourable Simon Howard who I am sure must carry his own tables around from time to time.

It is, but 4 golds normally = K (see Chris Hoy). I can see the argument for leaving some room for manoeuvre after Rio, but again Hoy got his K with London on the horizon.

IMO, all gold medallists should have got an O, moving up depending on the achievement, with other medallists getting an M, if they didn't have a gong already.

And love him or loathe him, Murray should have got a CBE. First British male Wimbledon finalist for years, gold medallist and first British Grand Slam winner for over 75 years.

A good friend who served 26 years in the navy was 'offered' the MBE for his service (it traditionally goes to senior warrant officers), but he declined. The navy was not 'amused', he left shortly afterwards. I asked him why he knocked it back as it would look great on his CV for work in civvy life, he said that he had only ever known 'ar$holes' who had received it and didn't want to be in that club.

How come Martin Offiah is only OBE, he should be Knight, Emperor and Imperial Magister of the Commonwealth with all the tries he ran in. Is riding a bike really more of an achievement than what Offiah did over his career, taking his sport to new levels.

It depends if you think riding a bike (something you have to learn to do) is less important than being able to run (something we naturally are capable of) and fall over with a ball in your hand.

Offiah: Iffy tackler. Terrible passer. Never saw him kick. Sh*thouse and drama queen at times. Outstanding world-beating runner. Great showman.

Does that make him a great rugby league player? The jury is out, but he was a phenomenon and a Wigan legend. Still love him, the attention-seeking geek.

Either way, cinnamon is trolling as usual.



Wiggins: well deserved.

He should have got the CDM (Crap Defence Medal)

[url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/backlash-of-the-paralympians-athletes-claim-double-standards-in-sport-honours-8433332.htmlThe paralympians have noticed the disparity[/url

I guess the problem is that there were effectively multiple Hoys at London 2012 across both comps. Where to draw the line? In some cases the decision has been justified by saying that certain Para/Olympians still have time in their careers to add to their achievements. I suppose had we not had such a glut of gold medals at a home Games then maybe more would have been knighted? I don't know, but it could be a reason.


I don't think so. I think Murray was pitched correctly at OBE. Those above him in the structure had achieved more IMO. I would have placed Christiansen in the CBE slot myself given her double achievement in a field we have consistently failed at bearing in mind her disability makes it God knows how many times more difficult to control a horse at the most basic level never mind in a dressage ring.

David Weir has tweeted following the quoted element of his comments in your link, clarifying that his only point was that he thought Sarah Storey should have been awarded her damehood earlier than she has been, and I think he is right. But Pearson is just a whinger. He will whinge about everything and IMO is embarrassing the Paralympians.

I remember, years ago, waiting at a bus stop when the bloke waiting beside me announced out of the blue that he was a "Sir", I'm not entirely sure he appreciated my utter lack of falling to my knees in awe, or indeed the passing of any comment concerning this revelation.

Is 10 Paralympic golds easier to achieve than 4 olympic golds, maybe this is taken into account when deciding. Can you ever imagine seeing a single athlete competing at 400, 800, 1500 & marathon. Sarah Storey deserves her award for more than the golds she has won, she is fantastic role model for all not just disabled people and was my sports personality of the year.

I don't think you can equate the two areas equally any more than you can female and ale boxers or footballers, they are different not equal any awards should reflect this

The bike riders have beat the very best in the world when it really mattered, can't really say that about Martin? Playing in the only full time team also gave him a bit of an unfair advantage would you not say?

A couple of weeks ago I'd sold a box of skate wings to a woman and I asked her for her name for the receipt. She gave it and as I was writing Mrs she stated "it's Lady actually". Turns out she's the daughter of the 3rd Duke of Fife, great, great, great granddaughter of Queen Victoria, cousin to the Queen and godmother to Prince Edward's daughter. Her old man's a good stick though, spitting image of James Whatisface from Bargain Hunt

If that ever does become an Olympic sport, the UK is going to rule all!

David Weir did, and won them all. In terms of able bodied athletics, the 800 and 1500 often get linked together (Seb Coe being an example of the ability to achieve in both), while the marathon can be a natural step from the 10,000. Mo Farah managed a gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m within the space of a week, so I would imagine it isn't impossible. Has anyone ever tried?

I dont think the criteria should be purely number of medals. Its just "easier" (relatively) to win lots of medals in some events than others eg I think Redgrave's achievements were greater than Hoy's.

I still think that gongs for sportsmen and women should only be awarded at the end of their careers.

Very pleased that Ben Parkinson received a MBE, Top bloke who has overcome massive injuries and is a source of inspiration to all that he meets.

Me too! Hadn't spotted that ... excellent news and well deserved.

It did'nt get a lot of column inches amongst all the usual fawning over of Celeb sportsman etc etc.