News that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been granted a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth sparked intense controversy in the British society, with over half a million people signing a petition calling for the honour to be rescinded. Blair was made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, to which appointments are in the Queen’s gift without advice from the government. The longest-serving Labour prime minister said he was “deeply grateful” to the Queen for the “immense honour.” He added: “It was a great privilege to serve as prime minister and I would like to thank all those who served alongside me, in politics, public service, and all parts of our society, for their dedication and commitment to our country.” Blair, 68, led Labour to a landslide victory in 1997, winning two subsequent general elections before …