Geldof made a knight

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 10

Geldof made a knight

NZPA-AP London Bob Geldof, who inspire Band Aid, Live Aid and Sport Aid, has been granted an honorary knighthood by the Queen.

But because he is an Irish national, he will not be allowed to call himself Sir Bob Geldof. His style will be Mr Bob Geldof, K.B.E. The Queen awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honour on the recommendation of the Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, in recognition of Geldofs work for the relief of starving people in Ethiopia and elsewhere. The award is not included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, to be published on Saturday, because it is on the recommendation of the Foreign Secretary. Geldof, speaking from Los Angeles, said: “I am delighted and deeply honoured, and would like to thank Her Majesty very much.” He added with a chuckle, “I hope to be the first knight in the charts.” Geldof is in Los Angeles writing songs and taking a break after the mayhem of Sport Aid. The news of the knighthood was warmly welcomed at the House of Commons. An all-party motion was tabled, “congratulating Mr Bob . Geldof, K.8.E., on his honorary knighthood awarded in recognition of his un-: stinting work in relieving starvation and malnutrition in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa.” Its principal sponsor, Mr Harry Greenway, Conservative member of Parliament for Ealing North, said, “This is a high honour and a just one, to an outstanding Irish and world citizen. He inspired a whole generation.” There has been clamour in the House for months that Geldofs work should be recognised. One suggestion was that he should be recommended for the Nobel Peace Prize. Members reacted angrily at his exclusion from the New Year Honours List six months ago. It has been suggested that his gruff manner and unshaven, unkempt and -casual appearance were factors that discouraged any recommendation being put before the Queen.