Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May could be knighted after Tony Blair got an honour, a top Tory has hinted.
Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said the decision “opens doors” for others after the ex-PM was made Sir Tony by the Queen.
The honour for ex-PMs is awarded entirely by the Palace, not the government.
The New Year Honours came almost 17 years after Sir Tony’s predecessor John Major received his knighthood.
In 2020 it was claimed Mr Blair was “gong-blocking” other ex-Prime Ministers because the Queen was reluctant to honour him.
It was alleged that there was still anger about Mr Blair’s handling of Princess Diana’s death in 1997.
But last week the monarch named him a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the most senior chivalric rank.
There is now speculation that the decision could allow honours to follow for Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May.
And today Ms Throup told LBC Radio: “I think he did lots of good things, and I think it’s only right that we do honour our previous Prime Ministers.
“He was Prime Minister for such a long time.
“And I think obviously now it opens some doors for others to be recognised in the same way.”
Honours are regularly bestowed on ex-premiers within the Queen’s gift - so not awarded on the advice of the Government.
However, the move for Sir Tony led to a huge backlash, with many critics citing the Iraq War.
Angus Scott launched a petition on Change.org shortly after news broke, and it topped half a million signatures on Monday night.
Frankie London, 53, was one of the first to sign the petition.
Mr London, of Southend, Essex, said: “A knighthood for that repugnant man Tony Blair, but still no knighthood for the last surviving Dambuster George 'Johnny' Johnson in his 100th year is a national shame.
“A knighthood for a war criminal, but not for a war hero.”
But Labour leader Keir Starmer told ITV ’s Good Morning Britain: “I don’t think it’s a thorny issue for me at all.
“I think Tony Blair deserves the honour.
“He won three elections, he was a very successful Prime Minister.
“I haven’t got time this morning to list all of his many achievements which I think vastly improved our country - minimum wage, Sure Start for young families.
“But the one I would pick out in particular is the work he did in Northern Ireland, and the peace process, and the huge change that has made.”
Sir Keir was told a 2006 study - disputed by the US - had estimated 600,000 Iraqi civilians died in war-related violence.
He replied: “Look, I understand there are strong views on the Iraq War - there were back at the time, there still are.
“But that doesn’t detract from the fact that Tony Blair was a very successful Prime Minister of this country, made huge differences to the lives of millions of people in this country, won three elections, and therefore I think he deserves the honour.
“I respect the view of those that think differently but I think this is straightforward as far as I’m concerned.”
