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Gates' knighthood draws criticism for Blair
"Sends out all the wrong signals"

By Will Sturgeon

Published: Wednesday 28 January 2004

Tony Blair's government is under fire for the awarding of an honorary knighthood to Bill Gates.

Among those speaking out against the decision is a member of the European Parliament who expressed disgust at the timing of the announcement, which coincided with Gates' visit to the UK to discuss NHS software licensing and attend an event chaired by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

The decision to bestow the honour on Gates was always likely to prove controversial because of the on-running EU case against Microsoft, which is being investigated for anticompetitive business practices.

Dr Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP for South-East England, said: "This sends out all the wrong signals. Would the government grant an honour to a businessman who is under investigation by trading standards officers in the UK? Of course not."

While Gates' record of supporting charitable causes is second to none, and not in question, as long as there is still a huge question mark hanging over the legality of his business model in Europe the award raises concerns of a hidden agenda on the part of the government, according to Lucas. Certainly Gates is a useful ally for the government to have.

Lucas added: "This honour gives the impression that the government is far more concerned about currying favour with the rich and influential than demonstrating its commitment to upholding EU law - an impression that is undoubtedly true, given the frequency with which the UK government finds itself hauled before the European Court of Justice for breaches of EU legislation."

Earlier this week, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office expressed an open disregard for the EU's case against Microsoft. Today, Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East of England, revealed a widening rift between the UK government and the rest of Europe and warned that having friends in high places in the UK is no guarantee of a legal lifeline for Gates.

"I don't think anybody need worry about the UK honours system and the EU competition case against Microsoft," he said. "Nobody in Brussels knows, or cares, about British patronage of Americans. The Commission is completely independent in its conduct of competition policy and, as far as I can see, resolute too."

However, not all MEPs are opposed to the UK's disregard of EU legislation. Nigel Farage, UK Independence Party MEP for the South-East, said: "It is about time that the British government acted on its own initiative and ignored what the European Union says and does. It is a purely British matter which should not be decided or influenced by Brussels."