He's still spinning! Cameron crony Sir Craig Oliver insists on collecting his knighthood in SECRET as he bars the release of photos to the media 

  • Sir Craig was included on Cameron's controversial resignation honours list 
  • He was one of dozens of cronies handed awards by the defeated Prime Minister
  • But Sir Craig refused to give press access to his investiture ceremony today 
  • He received the gong from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace today  

Cameron crony Sir Craig Oliver has insisted on receiving his knighthood in secret after receiving a gong for being the Remain campaign's top spin doctor.

David Cameron's former communications chief was one of several top allies at the top of the ex-Prime Minister's controversial resignation honours list.

Last year, Sir Craig insisted he was not 'squeamish' about the title after leaving it off the cover his tell-all book on the referendum battle.

But he took the option of a private investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace today. He was presented with his honour by Prince Charles this morning.

Also honoured privately from the list today was Isabel Spearman - Samantha Cameron's former stylist.

Spin doctor Sir Craig Oliver has refused to release pictures of him collecting his knighthood at Buckingham Palace today (file picture) 

Spin doctor Sir Craig Oliver has refused to release pictures of him collecting his knighthood at Buckingham Palace today (file picture) 

Senior Conservative Andrew Bridgen told MailOnline: 'It's unusual for a spin doctor not to want any publicity.' 

Tory MP Dame Caroline Spelman also received an honour, nominated by the Queen, at today's ceremony.

She refused to comment on why Sir Craig had not allowed pictures of his investiture.

Dame Caroline said: 'It's not for me to comment, it's his choice and I'm very grateful to him for remembering me in his resignation honours.' 

Investitures are normally recorded and images are often released to the public - but everyone is given the option to keep their ceremony private.

Ex chancellor George Osborne, also gonged by Mr Cameron, proudly posed with his medal when he was made a companion of honour last year.

Sir Craig claimed last year he was not 'squeamish' about his title when he was asked about not using it on the title of his tell-all book about the referendum.

David Cameron's former spin doctor was among the top names on the ex-Prime Minister's controversial resignation honours list after he spearheaded communications for the beaten Remain campaign

David Cameron's former spin doctor was among the top names on the ex-Prime Minister's controversial resignation honours list after he spearheaded communications for the beaten Remain campaign

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr: 'It is Sir Craig, but I'm very happy for you to call me Craig.'

Marr said: 'OK, I only ask – Sir Craig – because sometimes people seem squeamish about using titles they get.

Sir Craig insisted: 'I'm not squeamish about it. It's just one of those things.

'Somebody said in the press this week 'why isn't Sir on the title of the book?'

'For example, Sir Alex Ferguson didn't use it on his and I am told by the publishers... The thought never really occurred to me to be honest.' 

Also honoured privately from resignation honours list today was Isabel Spearman (right) - Samantha Cameron's former stylist

Also honoured privately from resignation honours list today was Isabel Spearman (right) - Samantha Cameron's former stylist

In his resignation honours list Mr Cameron created 13 Tory life peers giving the Tories 207 - one more than Labour.

Tory treasurer Andrew Fraser, and political aides Gabrielle Bertin and Camilla Cavendish who both worked at Number 10, were all given peerages.

Knighthoods were given to Cabinet minister Michael Fallon and former ministers Oliver Letwin and Hugo Swire, while former chancellor George Osborne became a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.

At the time of the announcement last summer Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: 'David Cameron's resignation honours list is so full of cronies it would embarrass a medieval court.'

While Mr Cameron's former policy guru Steve Hilton also criticised the list, branding it a 'serious type of very British corruption' and a 'symptom of a corrupt and decaying democracy'. 

Ex chancellor proudly showed off his gong after collecting his Companion of Honour award in November 

Ex chancellor proudly showed off his gong after collecting his Companion of Honour award in November 

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