The MP for North East Hertfordshire has received his knighthood from the Queen today at Buckingham Palace.

Sir Oliver Heald was recognised for his political service in July and received the accolade from Her Majesty earlier today.

In his 23 years in politics he has served as a minister in John Major’s government and as solicitor general under the current regime prior to a cabinet reshuffle a week before his investiture was announced.

Sir Oliver, who lives in Royston, said: “It was a wonderful day and I was very impressed with what the 120 people being invested had achieved. All over the country people are doing really fantastic things in their local communities.

“The Queen was very kind and asked about what Parliament was up to at the moment – I said ‘we have been having a very interesting time recently’...!

“It was tremendous honour and I was really quite moved by the occasion.”