Controversial Tory Donor Mohamed Mansour Knighted in New Year Honours Despite Russia Links
• Mohamed Mansour, a Conservative party donor, unexpectedly received a knighthood on recommendation of Rishi Sunak
• Mansour donated £5m to the Tories in 2022 and served as transport minister under Hosni Mubarak in Egypt
• Labour previously called for Tories to return Mansour's £5m donation due to his company still operating in Russia after invasion
• Other honors recipients include AI firm DeepMind's founder, filmmakers Christopher Nolan & Emma Thomas, and Netflix's Ted Sarandos
• Timing of honors may fuel speculation Sunak weighing early election; gongs recognize figures in business, entertainment & politics