The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and the Labour MP for East Ham will receive honours from the Queen for their political and public services.

It comes as the Queens Honours List has been announced as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Many Christians and church leaders have been included.

Arlene Foster became the DUP’s leader in 2015 and was the first woman to hold the role. She resigned in 2021 after a party revolt.

Also included in the list is the Christian Labour MP Stephen Timms, who has been representing his constituency since 1994 and spent ten years as a councillor before becoming a member of parliament.

Reflecting upon the highlights of his career, he said that he has “particular satisfaction” with the improvement of schools in his constituency.

Sir Stephen said: “I’m very pleased [with the knighthood]. I’m not sure I’m more deserving than one of my colleagues, but I’m pleased and my 93-year-old mother is pleased about it as well.”

“I take particular satisfaction from the dramatic improvements in school achievement locally, made possible by the Government reforms and progress that’s been since then,” he continued.

Rev Mervyn Gibson, who recently led celebrations for Northern Ireland’s centenary at an Orange Order event in Belfast, will also receive a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British (MBE) in recognition of “his services to the community”.

Hope into Action’s CEO, Ed Walker has also been honoured with an MBE, for providing support and physical resources to homeless people Bristol, Cambridge and Bournemouth.  

Prudence Dailey, the former Chairman of the Prayer Book Society, has also been awarded an MBE on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Speaking about the honour, Prudence said: “I am truly delighted and humbled to have been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This honour acknowledges the public standing of the Prayer Book Society and the importance of its past and ongoing work. It should be recognised as a tribute to the Society as a whole. I continue to be grateful to the many wonderful and dedicated people alongside whom I worked during my stint at the helm.”

Church ministers and Christians who will also receive honours include:

• Reverend James Bell Falconer. Healthcare Chaplin, NHS Grampian. For services to Parent and Child Bereavement and to the community in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. (Westhill, Aberdeenshire)
• Rev Father Darren Percival. For services to the community in Leeds, West Yorkshire. (Wakefield, West Yorkshire)
• The Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Oestreicher. Priest, Journalist and Broadcaster. For services to Peace, Human Rights and Reconciliation.
• The Reverend Clive Beckenham. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, New Life Home Trust. For services to abandoned and vulnerable children with HIV in Kenya.
• The Reverend Samuel Maxwell Boodle. For services to Religion.
• The Reverend Hencil Kenneth Bassinio Adderley. For services to Religion.
• The Reverend Basil Johnson. For services to Religion.
• Claudette Theresa Young. Senior Pastor and Volunteer, Gospel Temple Apostolic Church. For services to Disadvantaged People in the community in North London. (London, Greater London)
• Maralyn Bambridge. lately Christian Church Pastor and Founder, Engalynx. For services to the vulnerable Women, Widows and Children in Rwanda.
• Bishop Tutai O Marama Maao-Tino Pere. For services to the Church and to the Community.
• Bishop Walter Stafford Hanchell. For services to Religion and to the Community.
• Bishop Dr. Delton Dewitt Fernander. For services to Religion.
• James William Stewart Campbell. For services to the community in Southsea, Hampshire. (Southsea, Hampshire)

If you know of any Christians on the Queen's honours list, please email us here.