Simon Case and Katherine Grainger receive peerages amid pandemic controversies

In the United Kingdom, Downing Street announced that Simon Case, the former cabinet secretary, and Katherine Grainger, an Olympic gold medallist, have been granted peerages and will join the House of Lords as crossbench peers. Simon Case, who became the cabinet secretary in September 2020, faced significant challenges during his tenure, including leading the Civil Service through the COVID-19 pandemic and dealing with high-profile events like the war in Ukraine and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. However, his time in office was shadowed by controversy, particularly regarding the 'Partygate' scandal, where allegations arose surrounding a Christmas event held by his office during lockdowns. Despite the scrutiny, Case was not personally fined in connection to the scandal. On the other hand, Katherine Grainger is noted for her achievements in sports as Britain’s most decorated female rower. She served as chairwoman of UK Sport for eight years before assuming leadership at the British Olympic Association. The appointments of Case and Grainger come alongside those of Lord Tim Barrow, who played a crucial role in Brexit negotiations, and Baroness Sharon White, the first black woman to serve as a permanent secretary at the Treasury. Their inclusion in the House of Lords marks a significant shift, allowing them to contribute their extensive experiences to the legislative process.