Lord is now also a knight

In Great Britain, billionaire Michael Ashcroft has been the subject of continuing controversy over his recent appointment to the House of Lords. In Belize he’s in the headlines because of a feud with aspiring billionaire Glenn Godfrey over their respective banking and telecommunications empires. Today’s news out of Buckingham Palace is sure to increase his profile on both sides of the Atlantic, as it seems that Lord Michael is also to become Sir Michael. The announcement, which came out of Buckingham Palace at midnight London time, was part of the Queen’s birthday honours list and makes Ashcroft a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, KCMG for short. Although bestowed by the Queen, the award comes on the recommendations of the government of Belize, reportedly for “public service to the community and country. “Ashcroft has made significant economic investments in Belize, has served as the country’s roving ambassador in Europe and more recently represented Belize as UN Ambassador in New York. It is not known how far in advance the knighthood was proposed, but in recent months relations between Ashcroft and the government of Said Musa have cooled, largely over high telephone rates maintained by BTL, a company in which Ashcroft owns a large bloc of shares. Traditionally a major contributor to the People’s United Party, Ashcroft has made it clear that he is also giving financial support to the opposition UDP. He becomes one of only 78 people in Britain to hold both a peerage and knighthood.