PM sympathetic to knighthood request for Mitchell - but it is still "no" (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

PM sympathetic to knighthood request for Mitchell - but it is still "no"

April 4, 2006 4:34 PM

RJ Mitchell's Spitfire has become one of the great British design icons

Downing Street has turned down the proposal to give a knighthood to Spitfire designer R J Mitchell even though the Prime Minister understands and sympathises with the suggestion from Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

The honours secretary, William Chapman, has written to Mr Huhne saying that "the Prime Minister well understands and sympathises with the suggestion". Mr Huhne had pointed out both the importance of R J Mitchell in winning the Battle of Britain and that the Hawker Hurricane designer Sir Sidney Camm was knighted.

But Downing Street has turned down Mr Huhne's request on the grounds that posthumous awards are only possible for acts of gallantry and that it would be difficult to grant an accolade to someone who died so long ago.

However, Mr Chapman wrote that Mr Mitchell's achievement and place in history are such that they need no further honour to confirm them.

Commenting Chris Huhne said "RJ Mitchell's Spitfire not only formed the backbone of the RAF's fighter force during World War two but it has become one of the great British design icons.

"This aircraft stands as a symbol of British resistance against Nazi tyranny and played a crucial role in wining the War.

"Mitchell was a man of great skill and vision and it is tragic that he died in 1937 before he was able to witness the achievements of his design and receive the recognition he deserved.

"Sir Sidney Camm, the man who designed the Hawker Hurricane, was knighted for his work and I feel it is fitting that both designers should be given the same award.

"We should mark the year of the 60th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome by officially recognising RJ Mitchell's brilliant and enduring legacy".