Former Sunderland MP Chris Mullin is knighted in the King's Birthday Honours
A former Sunderland MP has been knighted in the King’s Birthdays Honours for political and public service.
Chris Mullin, now 78, was Sunderland South’s Labour MP from 1987 to 2010 and served in three roles as a Parliamentary under-secretary of state between 1999-2005 while Tony Blair was Prime Minister.
As a journalist and author, his campaigning work was also pivotal in securing the release of the so-called Birmingham Six after they served 16 years in prison when they were wrongly convicted of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.
Other recipients of honours in the area include world leading cosmologist Professor Carlos Frenk.
Sir Carlos, a professor of fundamental physics in Durham’s department of physics, is also made a Knight Batchelor for his services to astrophysics and cosmology.
Working with scientists across the world, he uses high-power supercomputers to build model universes based on the known laws of physics.
The techniques developed by Sir Carlos and his collaborators are now commonly used by cosmologists to explain the formation of the galaxies and other large-scale cosmic in the universe.
Councillor Paul Mackings, 64, from Cleadon, who is the new Reform UK leader of South Tyneside Council, is now a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to business and the community.
The recently-appointed chief fire officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Stewart Nicholson, has received the King’s Fire Service Medal.
Calling the honour “a great privilege”, he added: “My journey has taken me from serving as a firefighter in North and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services to, three decades later, leading Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service as chief fire officer, with senior leadership roles in Scotland along the way.
“The blue light community has provided me with an incredible platform to support people in need across communities in both England and Scotland.
“Through my work with the National Fire Chiefs Council, I hope to continue sharing my experience and help inspire and support future generations of firefighters.”
Meanwhile, one of Durham Constabulary’s first Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) has been recognised for his services to the community of Chester-le-Street.
PCSO Adrian Richards has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) after dedicating more than 23 years to tackling anti-social behaviour, problem-solving issues like shoplifting and dog fouling and providing summer activities for thousands of children.
He is familiar face to many in Chester-le-Street, particularly the town centre, where he has spent much of his time supporting businesses.
Yet he is possibly best known for organising and hosting the town’s annual Activity Week, which provides around 25,000 children access to free activities in the summer.
He said: “I love what I do and I am proud to be recognised with the British Empire Medal.”