Dr Michael McBride ‘shed tears of joy’ when told he was to receive knighthood in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer said he shed tears of joy when he was told he was to receive a knighthood.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Dr Michael McBride, who has played a prominent role in the Province’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is one of the most high-profile local names in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Attorney General Brenda King has been made a dame, Irish language activist Linda Ervine becomes an MBE as does Irish league football manager David Jeffrey.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Former Irish rugby international Nigel Carr is also made an MBE while long-serving Northern Ireland women’s international footballer Julie Nelson is honoured with the British Empire Medal.

Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride who has been made a Knight for services to Public Health in Northern Ireland in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride who has been made a Knight for services to Public Health in Northern Ireland in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride who has been made a Knight for services to Public Health in Northern Ireland in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Chairman of the NI Police Federation Mark Lindsay is also made an MBE.

Dr McBride, 58, said he was overcome with emotion when he was told of his knighthood and cried.

“I’m not ashamed to say that, I felt very emotional,” he said. “I think it’s just a manifestation of the fact that it’s been a tough year for each and every one of us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“And you know it will continue to be tough in the months ahead and to have any contribution that I have made recognised in this way I feel honoured and I feel very, very privileged indeed.”

Dr Michael McBrideDr Michael McBride
Dr Michael McBride

Dr McBride, who is originally from north Belfast, paid tribute to all the colleagues who had supported him through his career in the health service.

He made special mention of his wife Catherine and four children Anastasia, Sophia, Matthew and Alicia.

“Holding public office and public service is a great honour and a privilege but sometimes the burden of that responsibility weighs heavily on your shoulders and certainly also on those closest to you,” he said. “So I’m really chuffed to bits for my wife Catherine and for our four children.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The CMO, who described the challenge of the pandemic as “unrelenting”, said the prospect of being referred to as Sir Michael felt “surreal”.

“I sort of have to pinch myself and think is this really happening? Am I standing here talking about me?,” he said. “But I always remember the words of my late father – ‘never forget the bowl you were baked in’.

“And I never have and I never will.

“I’m absolutely delighted and I’m absolutely thrilled and I feel deeply honoured and privileged to being recognised this way.”

Attorney General Ms King said it was a “very proud day” for her and her family.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am truly humbled to receive the award of Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list,” she said.

“I have devoted my professional life to the law and have worked with some outstanding individuals throughout my career.

“Whilst this is a great personal honour, it also reflects on the quality and commitment of those colleagues I have worked with over the years, in particular from the Office of the Legislative Counsel in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Lindsay, 54, has been a police officer since 1987 and has represented rank and file officers as the head of the federation since 2015.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am humbled to receive this honour, which recognises the immense charitable and welfare support given to serving and retired police officers and their families in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom,” he said.

“I will continue to do all I can to assist colleagues and their families who need welfare assistance, whilst also ensuring the memory of hundreds of officers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty is never forgotten.”

READ MORE:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Related topics: