A PROFESSOR has received a knighthood for services to torture prevention and protecting religious freedom at a special ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Sir Malcolm Evans, from King's Stanley, a professor of public international law at University of Bristol, was presented with the accolade by Princess Anne.

He was awarded the knighthood in the New Year Honours list in recognition of his work as chairman of the UN subcommittee for the prevention of torture.

"It was very exciting and a great honour," Sir Malcolm told the SNJ.

"I went with all of my family and it was a very special ceremony.

"What was so nice was that among all the pomp and glamour, receiving the award was still made so personal.

"I had a very nice conversation with the Princess Royal about my work."

Sir Malcolm has worked extensively on human rights issues for numerous international bodies and NGOs and is currently a member and chairman of the United Nations Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture.

Its work includes visiting places of detention around the world, speaking with detainees, finding out how they are treated and working confidentially with those governments to try to ensure they are not ill-treated.

In October 2014, while at the UN General Assembly in New York, he was invited to a special meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss issues concerning combating torture.

He has been appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) – a special honour reserved for those who have shown exceptional service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

The Foreign Secretary’s overseas New Year Honours list describes Sir Malcolm’s ‘exceptional and unparalleled contribution to the global fight against torture and other inhuman treatment and punishment and a consistently strong contribution to the promotion of religious liberty’.