Ousted Lib Dems Vince Cable and Danny Alexander are due to get knighthoods in a move that will spark a fresh honours row.

The two former Coalition Cabinet ministers are believed to have rejected offers of ­peerages from ex-Deputy PM Nick Clegg in the ­dissolution honours list.

But the pair, thrown out by voters at the General Election, are now both set to become “Sir”, ­Whitehall sources have revealed.

Two more of Mr Clegg’s allies, former MP Annette Brooke and film producer Pippa Harris – a friend since his university days – will be given damehoods.

Cable turned down a peerage but will be a knight. (Picture credit: Sunday Mirror)

Mr Clegg also nominated Lib Dem donor Anthony Ullmann for a knighthood, sources claim.

Veteran politicians Sir Menzies Campbell and Sir Alan Beith are also tipped to be among up to 10 Lib Dems in line for peerages.

It could reignite fury over David Cameron and Mr Clegg’s efforts to reward their cronies when the list is announced in the coming days.

Publication has been delayed after Lord Sewel’s cocaine and hookers scandal.

Mr Cameron is expected to announce around 50 new Lords, including up to 40 Tories – taking the number of peers in the bloated Lords to more than 800.

New Tories in the Upper House are expected to include multi-millionaire donor and investment banker James Lupton and bra ­entrepreneur Michelle Mone.

Mr Cameron’s election agent Barry Norton is tipped for a knighthood, while his former deputy chief of staff Oliver Dowden is lined up for a CBE.

George Osborne has also ensured his former chief of staff Rupert Harrison will get a CBE.

Labour leadership hopeful Yvette Cooper yesterday accused the Tories of “vandalising democracy by pursuing their own narrow party political interest”.