Former education secretary Gavin Williamson has been given a knighthood despite doing "an abominable job" during Covid examinations.

       The confirmation came as a surprise to many after Mr Williamson was widely criticised for the handling of his departmental responsibilities during the coronavirus pandemic, including online GCSE and A-level chaos.

       It was understood the knighthood was being given to him on the basis of his political and public service.

       Following the announcement, a former Lib Dem education spokesperson questioned why Mr Williamson was knighted for doing "an abominable job" and a Labour MP asked whether it was "for services to failure in managing two sets of exam results?"

       Former shadow schools minister Wes Streeting also said the knighthood was a "reward for failure" and called the decision "shameless".

       Downing Street said on Thursday afternoon that the Queen has conferred the honour on the Tory MP, who has twice been sacked from the Government.

       The Prime Minister sacked Mr Williamson from his role as education secretary in September and he was previously dumped as defence secretary following an inquiry into a leak from the National Security Council.

       No 10, asked why the knighthood was being announced now and not part of an honours list, said it was a political appointment by the Conservative Party.

       A statement said: "The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP."

       The move will likely anger parents, teachers and unions as there were numerous calls for his resignation throughout the pandemic.

       Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South East, tweeted: "Presumably it's for services to failure in managing two sets of exam results?"

       Former Lib Dem education spokesperson Layla Moran questioned why Gavin Williamson had been knighted for doing "an abominable job".

       Ms Moran, who is MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, tweeted: "One does have to wonder... does Williamson know where all the (horcruxes) are hidden... I can't think of any other reason why he has been honoured for doing such an abominable job."

       'Worst education secretary in history'

       Lib Dem education spokesperson Munira Wilson said Mr Williamson's knighthood is "an insult to every child, parent and teacher who struggled through Covid".

       "The only award Gavin Williamson should be given is the one for worst education secretary in history," she said.

       "He failed to get laptops to children who needed them, sleepwalked into the exam crisis and caused chaos for parents and teachers over getting children back to school.

       "People across the country will be outraged at this reward for his abysmal failures.

       "It is an insult to every child, parent and teacher who struggled through Covid against the odds. It shows this Government only cares about those at the top."

       'His tenure as education secretary was one of endless muddle'

       The head of a major education union also expressed surprise at the Tory MP's knighthood.

       Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "School and college leaders will be surprised to learn that Gavin Williamson has been given a knighthood.

       "The challenges of the pandemic and the implications for education would have been challenging for any education secretary, and this needs to be recognised.

       "But the experience of schools and colleges of Mr Williamson during his tenure as education secretary was one of endless muddle, inevitable U-turns, and even threats of legal action to override local decisions.

       "This was not all Mr Williamson's fault. The hand of Downing Street was detectable amidst the chaos too.

       "However, many parents will share our surprise that his record in this role warrants the conferring of a knighthood."