PM Boris Johnson praises 'Sir' Kevin Sinfield after Leeds Rhinos legend's marathon fund-raising feat

Johnson referred to Sinfield by his fans' nickname of 'Sir Kevin' - raising hopes a genuine honour could be on its way to the Rhinos legend.

A petition has been launched calling for Sinfield to be knighted.

Sinfield raised more than £2.5m for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association by running seven marathons in seven days earlier this month, each completed in less than four hours.

The Rhinos director of rugby and former captain's achievement was highlighted at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday by Bassetlaw Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, who is vice-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on MND.

To a chorus of "hear, hear" from fellow MPs, he asked: "Will the Prime Minister join with me in congratulating Kevin Sinfield and Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club in raising over £2.5m for the MND Association by running seven marathons in seven days in honour of Rob Burrow who is living with motor neurone disease?

"And will the government commit to increasing its investment in MND research and marching on together to find a cure?"

In his reply, Johnson said he shared "enthusiasm for what Kevin Sinfield has done".

Then, apparently prompted by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, a keen rugby league fan, he corrected Sinfield's title to "Sir Kevin".

He said: "MND is indeed a devastating condition.

"I congratulate Sir Kevin on his actions and the government is certainly in full, full support."

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