Why has Johnson given Gavin Williamson a knighthood now?

[muriel_volestrangler]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/03/gavin-williamson-awarded-knighthood-by-boris-johnson

The general reaction is "he's an incompetent arsehole, sacked not long ago, why give him this?" But I wonder why it's come now. Normally, knighthoods are given out by the Queen, at New Year and her "official birthday" (anniversary of the coronation, early June). The Mail (sorry) writes:

Asked why the knighthood was being announced now and not part of an honours list, Downing Street said it was a political appointment by the Conservative Party. Before his sacking, he reportedly told allies 'knows where the bodies are'.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10574539/Former-education-secretary-Gavin-Williamson-given-KNIGHTHOOD-overseeing-Covid-exams-bungle.html

Does Johnson foresee a vote to oust him soon - before the birthday honours (eg after disastrous May local elections), and he had to get Williamson onside with more than a promise?

[brush]

1. FYI. The Queen does that.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. But, as the articles explain, the decisions on politicians are done by politicians

Leaders of parties get to hand out awards to some of their party loyalists. But it's very rare for one to be announced out of the blue, for no apparent reason, on its own. Especially for someone whose last appearance in the news was being sacked for being incompetent, and generally held in contempt by the public (not just the opposition).

[LeftishBrit]

3. What a twerp

A similarly incompetent pupil would flunk GCSE.

Did someone say 'Gav should get knotted', and it was misheard?