The honours, which are among the United Kingdom’s most prestigious awards, are presented by the monarch to recognize outstanding achievements or long-term service to the country or local communities.
The OBE, or Officer of the Order of the British Empire, is typically awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to their region or nation. The MBE, or Member of the Order of the British Empire, is given to people who have dedicated many years of service to their communities and made a meaningful impact.
Because of their significance, revoking such honours is rare and generally happens only when recipients are convicted of crimes, found guilty of misconduct, or face serious disciplinary action from professional bodies.
Rugby star Stuart Hogg loses his MBE
Among those stripped of their honours this month is former Scottish rugby player Stuart Hogg.
According to the UK’s official public record, The Gazette, Hogg had his MBE revoked after pleading guilty to domestic abuse charges involving his estranged wife, Gillian.
The athlete originally received the MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for his contributions to rugby. However, after admitting to the charge, he was sentenced in January 2025 to a one-year community payback order.
As a result, the honour has now been formally withdrawn.
The official notice in The Gazette stated: “The King has directed that the appointment of Stuart William Hogg to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 30 December 2023 shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.”
Hogg previously played as a fullback for the Glasgow Warriors and earned numerous international caps for Scotland. He also took part in three British and Irish Lions tours and currently plays for Montpellier.
Animal welfare case also leads to revoked honour
Another person on the list is Paul Allen Rose, the founder of Barrow’s Owl Sanctuary in Cumbria.
According to reports from News and Star, Rose was sentenced in May 2024 after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure proper animal welfare.
The charges were brought under Section 4 and Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Full list of honours revoked this month
In total, nine individuals have had their MBEs or OBEs removed.
- Ian Ashbold, received MBE in 2016, stripped due to a Criminal Conviction
- Lloyd Hamilton, received MBE in 2011, stripped due to Criminal conviction
- Angela Middleton, received MBE in 2019, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute
- Nigel O’Connor, received MBE in 2015, stripped due to professional censure
- Tony Reilly, received OBE in 2011, stripped due to professional censure
- Paul Rose, received MBE in 2002, stripped due to Criminal conviction
- Anant Shah, received OBE in 2020, stripped due to bringing the honours system into disrepute
- Graham Trewhella, received MBE in 2010, stripped due to criminal conviction
- Stuart Hogg, received MBE in 2024, stripped due to criminal conviction
The removals highlight how seriously the honours system treats misconduct, with recipients expected to uphold the values associated with these prestigious awards.
