British government apologises after honours list recipients' addresses accidentally published online

The British government has apologised after it accidentally published online the addresses of the New Year’s Honours 2020 recipients.

The New Year Honours 2020 list, which recognised Olivia Newton-John with a damehood and saw Sir Elton John become a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, was published over the weekend containing the home addresses of more than 1,000 recipients.

According to the BBC, the addresses were visible online for over an hour.

The Cabinet Office said the addresses had been published in error and were taken down from the website "as soon as possible."

"We apologise to all those affected and are looking into how this happened. We have reported the matter to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) and are contacting all those affected directly," the Cabinet Office said.

Both Olivia and Elton were affected by the error.

The New Year’s honours have been awarded since Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century and aim to recognise not just well-known figures but those who have contributed to national life through often selfless and unsung contributions over many years.

The twice-yearly honours list is released on the Queen’s official birthday in June and at the end of each year.