Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs was reportedly blocked from receiving a Knighthood from the Queen after the former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown blocked the application. It is claimed by a former Labour Party politician that the offer of an honorary Knighthood was blocked by Downing Street after Steve Jobs declined an offer to speak at the Labour Party conference.
He was put forward for the Honour – which as an American citizen would not have allowed him to be known as Sir Steve – by the former Labour MP in recognition of the company’s consumer electronics.
According to The Telegraph newspaper, the proposal reached the final stages of approval at Downing Street before being suddenly blocked.
The former MP was told that the decision came as a direct result of his decision not to speak at the political rally. Having Steve Jobs appear as a speaker at the conference would have been a considerable PR coup for the Labour party, and Gordon Brown in particular.
Microsoft founder, Bill Gates received an Honorary Knighthood in 2005.
Honorary awards to foreign nationals are conferred by The Queen on the advice of the Foreign Secretary.
