More on KentOnline
Outgoing Kent MP Craig Mackinlay is to be given a life peerage by the King following a nomination by Rishi Sunak.
The Conservative, who recently lost his arms and legs following a devastating battle with sepsis, will be entered into the House of Lords.
He is among six former Tory MPs to receive peerages in a dissolution honours list announced less than an hour before the polls closed for the general election.
Reacting to the news, Mr Mackinlay tweeted: “My heartfelt thanks to Rishi Sunak for my inclusion on the dissolution Honours List. This gives me a platform to campaign for sepsis, limb loss and for appropriate prosthetics (as well as sensible net zero). The Bionic MP changes into the Bionic Lord.”
Among the others is former prime minister Theresa May and former transport secretary Chris Grayling.
Rishi Sunak’s former chief of staff, Liam Booth-Smith, is also on the list.
A government press statement said: “All individuals nominated for peerages have gone through vetting checks, and the Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission has confirmed to the Prime Minister that all individuals are supported by the Commission.”
Among Sir Keir Starmer’s nominations for peerages are Blair-era foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett, and veteran Labour MPs Harriet Harman and Dame Margaret Hodge.
Kevan Jones, who has played a prominent role in campaigning for justice for subpostmasters caught up in the Horizon scandal, former deputy speaker Dame Rosie Winterton and veteran ex-whip John Spellar are also on his list.
Craig Mackinlay, who had represented South Thanet for the Conservatives since 2015, stepped down in May, saying seeking re-election would be "impossible" amid his recovery.
He said at the time: “Whilst my heart tells me to stand again, there being so much unfinished business across local regeneration and national issues which are important to me, my head knows this to be impossible at this time.”
Mr Mackinlay, known as the ‘bionic MP’, drew admiration from Mr Sunak on his brief return to Parliament following his battle, who praised his bravery and determination to raise awareness of sepsis.