Ashdown heads political honours

6.21.42pm GMT Sat 31st Dec 2005

Lord (Paddy) Ashdown, until recently the UN's High Representative in Bosnia, has become Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) of the Order of St Michael and Saint George in the New Year Honours list.

Lord Ashdown, who led the Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1999, recently stood down as the UN's chief administrator in Bosnia after three years.

Lord Ashdown and his team have been praised for their dynamic and reforming leadership in Bosnia, which has recovered sufficiently to be considered for European Union membership.