John Hayes has dismissed any notion of his award in the resignation honours list being a case of “cronyism”.
The South Holland and The Deepings MP is to be given a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour by The Queen.
Yet the list of recipients has attracted a wave of criticism, with former Prime Minister David Cameron being accused of simply rewarding his friends.
Mr Hayes, who receives the honour for “political and public service”, said: “Sometimes the criticism comes from those who haven’t got an honour or those with no chance of getting one.
“I think people recognise that I have been a very loyal servant of the government and my party and a close ally of David Cameron’s.”
Mr Hayes said resigning Prime Ministers recognising those who had worked closely around them was something that has “happened for generations”.
He added: “Obviously people know that I was in David Cameron’s inner circle for a considerable time so it was no real surprise that he recommended me, but in the end it is The Queen who has agreed it.”
The 58-year-old Conservative, who lives in Moulton, said: “Apart from Theresa May and Philip Hammond, no current Conservative has served on the front bench as long as I have.”
Mr Hayes – who did not follow Mr Cameron’s lead and voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the referendum – began his public service 40 years ago.
He served as a school governor and as a county councillor in Nottinghamshire.
After failed attempts to be elected as MP for North East Derbyshire in 1987 and 1992, he finally made it to Westminster in 1997 as member for South Holland and The Deepings. He became vice-chairman of the Tory Party in July 1999 and went on to hold several different Shadow Minister roles.
He is currently Minister for Transport after PM Mrs May reverted him to the role after he had served as Minister for Security under her in the Home Office for 14 months.
Mr Hayes says he might invest in a fresh morning suit for his trip to Buckingham Palace with his wife, Susan, to receive the honour.
“I’m looking forward to going to the palace,” he added. “I think receiving an award of this kind from The Queen is an honour.”
