<p>Disgraced New Zealand businessman Ron Brierley has surrendered his knighthood after admitting to possessing child pornography, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's office said Tuesday.</p>.<p>Ardern moved to strip Brierley of the honour last month after the Sydney-based octogenarian pleaded guilty to possessing images of child abuse.</p>.<p>But Ardern's office said he instead wrote to Queen Elizabeth II tendering his resignation as a knight.</p>.<p>"Ron Brierley may no longer use the title 'sir' and he has been asked to return his insignia," a spokesman said in a statement.</p>.<p>Brierley, 83, was arrested at Sydney airport in December 2019, when police found large amounts of child pornography on his laptop and hard drives during a luggage search.</p>.<p>Brierley earned a reputation as one of Australasia's most feared corporate raiders in the 1980s, turning his Brierley Investments into New Zealand's largest listed company.</p>.<p>He was knighted for his services to business management in 1988.</p>
<p>Disgraced New Zealand businessman Ron Brierley has surrendered his knighthood after admitting to possessing child pornography, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's office said Tuesday.</p>.<p>Ardern moved to strip Brierley of the honour last month after the Sydney-based octogenarian pleaded guilty to possessing images of child abuse.</p>.<p>But Ardern's office said he instead wrote to Queen Elizabeth II tendering his resignation as a knight.</p>.<p>"Ron Brierley may no longer use the title 'sir' and he has been asked to return his insignia," a spokesman said in a statement.</p>.<p>Brierley, 83, was arrested at Sydney airport in December 2019, when police found large amounts of child pornography on his laptop and hard drives during a luggage search.</p>.<p>Brierley earned a reputation as one of Australasia's most feared corporate raiders in the 1980s, turning his Brierley Investments into New Zealand's largest listed company.</p>.<p>He was knighted for his services to business management in 1988.</p>