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Craig Prescott, Lecturer in Law, Royal Holloway University of London

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells says she'll hand back her CBE – but it may not be that simple

Paula Vennells, former chief executive of the Post Office, has said she will hand back her CBE, following the outrage over the Horizon scandal that left hundreds of people prosecuted for crimes they didn’t commit. Craig Prescott, lecturer in law at Royal Holloway, University of London, answers this and other questions about the UK’s honours system.

1. How is an honour like a CBE handed back?

Once it has been awarded, there is no formal process to renounce an honour. However, a recipient may choose to return the physical insignia to the Central Chancery of the Orders of the Knighthood and no longer use the honour. Formally, the award of the honour still stands.

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