Pam Duncan-Glancy ‘over the moon’ at King’s MBE honour | UK News

Scottish Labour politician Pam Duncan-Glancy leads a host of Scots who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

The Glasgow MSP becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her public and political service.

Duncan-Glancy told Scotland News the award had left her feeling “overwhelmed”.

She added: “I’m over the moon. It’s for services to community, disability, equality and politics – things I am really really passionate about – which is lovely.”

Duncan-Glancy was the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021 and is a tireless disability campaigner.

On the moment she found out about the honour, the MSP said: “I was in a meeting and my husband phoned me. I could see my phone ringing and I thought I will get that later.

“Then he phoned me back and then texted me saying ‘you’ve got a letter that you need to open – because it had the royal seal on it’. But I couldn’t talk to him.

“He texted me back and said ‘I’ve opened it – you’ve got an MBE’. So that’s how I found out.”

The 43-year-old said it was a massive honour.

She added: “When I got elected as an MSP, I said I was a wee working class woman in a wheelchair.

“To think that I could be a wee working class woman in a wheelchair who’s also got an MBE, I just thought that was pretty special.”

With just 11 months until the next Holyrood election, the MSP said more needed to be done to encourage disabled people to seek election.

“We need to support people to be active in their communities in the first place,” Duncan-Glancy said.

“For disabled people, it can often be about giving them help to get out of bed in the morning.

“There’s quite a mountain to climb for us to support disabled people to get into politics and it’s a mountain we absolutely have to climb.

“There should be no space about us, without us.”

The MSP said she was looking forward to her investiture and hoped to take her sister and husband along because they had “sacrificed a lot over the years for my activism”.

She also joked she might bump into a football legend who has been honoured with a knighthood.

She said: “I mean, if David Beckham happens to be getting his the same day that would be a double bonus.”

Elsewhere in the honours list, John and Lorna Norgrove are both made OBEs for services to women and children abroad and in Scotland.

They set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation in memory of their daughter Linda.

The aid worker, from Lewis, was kidnapped by the Taliban and died in an attempted rescue by US forces in October 2010.

Recently the charity worked with both the Scottish and UK governments to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland to continue their degrees as they were barred by the Taliban from completing their studies in Afghanistan.

The couple said: “We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to leave their homes and families behind to move abroad and continue their studies and careers.

“Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.”

Nationwide CEO Debbie Crosbie, the only woman to lead a “big six” bank in the UK, gets a damehood for her services to financial services.

Dame Debbie, who grew up in Glasgow, said: “I try to encourage people to think beyond, ‘I’m a female’, but when it comes to this (honour) I am actually hugely proud.”

Meanwhile, Roisin Currie, a fellow Glaswegian, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to hospitality.

The Strathclyde University graduate was appointed chief executive of Greggs in 2022 having joined the Newcastle-based bakery chain, in 2010.

Historian Alistair Moffat, 74, who founded the Borders Book Festival, is also recognised in the list.

He becomes an MBE in recognition of services to literature and culture.

Others recognised include Charles Pelling, manager of the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.

He becomes an OBE in recognition of services to veterans.

A social media influencer known as the Hillwalking Hijabi has also been recognised.

Zahrah Mahmood, 34, president of Ramblers Scotland, is made an MBE for her contribution to voluntary service in Scotland.

Recently retired Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie has been honoured with the King’s Police Medal (KPM).

The force’s chief officer of human resources, Nicky Page, becomes an MBE for services to policing, equality and health.

And Jenna Speirs, and her parents Caroline and Duncan Speirs, have each been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for founding a charity in honour of Jenna’s twin brother, Calum, who died of cancer aged 12.

The family, from the Isle of Bute, started Calum’s Cabin to provide holiday facilities for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “The honours list showcases the remarkable achievements of individuals across Scotland who have gone above and beyond in their respective fields.

“Their service to our communities represents the spirit of dedication and excellence that makes Scotland proud.”