Scottish businessman asks to be removed from Cameron's resignation honours list

David Cameron - Image credit: Press Assocation

A Scottish Tory donor and major supporter of both the Better Together and Remain campaigns has asked not to be included on David Cameron’s resignation honours list.

Vitol oil chief executive Ian Taylor was reported to be in line for a knighthood, in a leaked list which has sparked controversy over the inclusion of a number of Remain campaigners and Tory backers.

Taylor said he was writing to both David Cameron and Theresa May to ask that he not be included.

He explained that speculation over his possible inclusion on the list had led to “seriously inaccurate comments” about Vitol.

“In recent days, speculation in the media has suggested that I may be recognised in the forthcoming resignation honours list,” he said.

“This has been accompanied by seriously inaccurate comments about the company I lead.

“In these circumstances, I think it is right I request that my name does not go forward, if indeed I was being considered for an honour.”

The Scottish businessman donated half a million pounds to the Better Together campaign before the independence referendum.

Then first minister Alex Salmond called for the donation to be returned because of Vitol’s involvement in payments to Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi national oil company.

Swiss oil company Vitol was heavily fined for making payments which were outside the UN’s oil for food programme.

Taylor said: “Tonight, I am writing both to the outgoing and the current Prime Minister requesting that I would not wish to be considered for an honour at this time.

“I will, of course, be continuing to participate actively in all the causes that I and my family passionately believe in, notably broadening access to the arts for everyone.”