A NORTH-East peer’s lobbying firm is bringing the honours system into disrepute, three MBEs say.

Mary Hawgood, Ron Dickie and Alan Ribchester, all from Durham City, said commercial lobbying by Awards Intelligence, which employs Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate OBE, was tarnishing the tradition.

Awards Intelligence helps people gain honours such as OBEs, MBEs, knighthoods and seats in the House of Lords.

Wealthy clients pay an upfront free of £3,900 for expert help to “receive the recognition you deserve”.

Its website says: “We have probably drafted and won more Queen’s Honours, House of Lords and company awards than anyone else in the world.”

Lord Mackenzie, a former chief superintendent of Durham Police, is paid an undisclosed sum as non-executive chairman and advisor.

The firm hails him as “a highly skilled media operator who really understands the power of the press and the value of a winning reputation”.

However, Alderman Hawgood, a former Mayor of Durham who became an MBE last year, said: “We believe that honours should be given for voluntary service without the person knowing anything or lobbying.”

Alderman Dickie, a former deputy mayor who also became an MBE last year, said: “It is not up to somebody to push themselves forward – it has got to be somebody else choosing them.”

Mr Ribchester, an accountant who became an MBE in 2010, said: “It demeans the whole system.”

However, Lord Mackenzie strongly rejected the criticism, saying Awards Intelligence was not a lobbying company. He said that for Queen’s honours, he supported more non-celebrities being recognised for work in the community, and said the company assisted people nominating others for such awards.

Speaking about House of Lords appointments, he said Awards Intelligence advised people wanting to become People’s Peers, for which self referrals are allowed.

The firm also advises people and companies seeking industry awards.

Lord Mackenzie also criticised the current Lords system, saying it mixed up honours with the role of a parliamentarian sitting as a working peer.

Lord Mackenzie’s role with Awards Intelligence is disclosed in the Lords’ register of interests.