David Cameron ridiculed as hair stylist 'honoured' with MBE
Prime minister accused of cronyism after his £90-a-cut barber appears in New Year's Honours list
![david-cameron-hair.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ps3h7RGmrNvk3crxZL3pMA-415-80.jpg)
DAVID CAMERON faces fresh accusations of cronyism after his £90-a-cut hairdresser was appointed MBE in the New Year's Honours list.
Lino Carbosiero, who was singled out for "services to hairdressing", reportedly began working as the Tory leader's barber on the orders of Samantha Cameron.
Carbosiero is credited with shifting Cameron's parting from right to left in 2007. The change in style prompted speculation that he was trying to look more "butch", while others suggested it reflected the political direction in which he was moving his party.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cameron's haircuts have since become a popular topic of conversation in Westminster as he increasingly uses a comb-over to hide his bald spot.
Downing Street officials insist that Carbosiero was not nominated by the PM, but this has not quelled the jokes and criticism.
"The bald truth is this – it must be a cover up. It may not be hair-raising but it certainly raises questions about cronyism," Labour MP Steve Pound tells the Daily Mirror. "It's a tight little circle gathering round the barber's chair. We should make sure there's no cover up – let alone a comb-over."
Backbench Labour MP Phil Wilson says Carbosiero – who has worked for numerous celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Sir Paul McCartney – deserves a gong for styling the hair of the Prime Minister. "After all it's a tall order to make him look good," he says.
Under the headline "Hair today gong tomorrow", The Sun says the celebrity hairdresser joins several of Cameron's pals, neighbours and donors on the honours list. PR chief Alan Parker, who has holidayed with Cameron, was handed a knighthood, while property developer Peter Emerson, who has donated thousands to the Tories, was given an OBE.
The Mirror makes much of the £90 that the barber apparently charges for a cut. The paper's personal finance editor, Tricia Phillips, writes: "David Cameron splashing out £90 on a haircut is a real slap in the face for Britons struggling with his government's austerity measures."
The Evening Standard agrees that it is "not exactly a snip", but adds: "Perhaps Dave will now get mates' rates".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week contest: Tattoo prediction
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Escape seaside in Newport, Rhode Island
The Week Recommends For the quintessential New England experience, head to the Classic Coast
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The long-awaited return of the college football video game
In the Spotlight EA Sports' 'College Football 25' is the first installment of the series in 11 years
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
David Cameron resigns as Sunak names shadow cabinet
Speed Read New foreign secretary joins 12 shadow ministers brought in to fill vacancies after electoral decimation
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will voter apathy and low turnout blight the election?
Today's Big Question Belief that result is 'foregone conclusion', or that politicians can't be trusted, could exacerbate long-term turnout decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published