Boris Johnson in crony storm: Prime Minister overrules his advisers to hand peerage to ex-Tory treasurer who was embroiled in donations-for-access scandal The Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided to ennoble City tycoon Peter Cruddas House of Lords Appointments Commission recommended he be turned down It was claimed he offered access to then PM David Cameron … Read more
As class warriors go, you’d struggle to find one more devout than Tony Woodley, the former leader of the UK’s Left-wing trade union Unite. He’s repeatedly claimed to have nothing but contempt for the Lords, where 92 hereditary peers still have the power to pass laws. And so it came as no surprise in 2018 … Read more
Britain’s first black archbishop was held back from being given a life peerage because officials wanted to make sure he was not criticised in an abuse inquiry. Former Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu was originally snubbed in a list of 36 new members this summer. A Government source said the honour for the respected … Read more
Downing Street has been slammed after snubbing Britain’s first black archbishop when he wasn’t awarded an automatic life peerage. Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, 71, was expected to receive a life peerage so he would be able to continue sitting in the House of Lords after he retired on June 7. While there is no … Read more
Arise, Lord Lebedev of Moscow! (All he needs now is for the Kremlin to sign off the title) Evgeny Lebedev was awarded a life peerage by Boris Johnson in the summer Newspaper publisher flummoxed peers by requesting to have ‘Moscow’ in title Before Lebedev can take his place at the Lords, Kremlin has to sign … Read more
Ex-Unite union baron Tony Woodley turns down seat in the Lords after Jeremy Corbyn offered him a peerage Tony Woodley offered position by Mr Corbyn before he stepped down as leader He said he was ‘deeply honoured’ by nomination but decided to refuse peerage Mr Woodley, 72, was the joint general secretary of trade union … Read more
Sir Ian Botham was a few days shy of his 44th wedding anniversary when he received a late-night call from the Prime Minister’s office offering him a peerage. He thought someone was winding him up. ‘The call came totally and utterly out of the blue,’ he says. ‘I was with Kath in Melbourne in late … Read more
Sir Ian Botham was a few days shy of his 44th wedding anniversary when he received a late-night call from the Prime Minister’s office offering him a peerage. He thought someone was winding him up. ‘The call came totally and utterly out of the blue,’ he says. ‘I was with Kath in Melbourne in late … Read more
I can reveal that the eminent actor, now 81, who achieved worldwide acclaim when he starred as Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, has spurned a peerage His triumphs on stage and screen have helped him amass a fortune of nearly £40 million – which would have been beyond the dreams of avarice … Read more
Fury as ex-Brexit Party MEP who ‘defended’ the IRA is awarded a peerage in latest criticism of honours system Boris Johnson is facing a growing row over the elevation of 36 peers to the Lords There was also fury at the decision to send Claire Fox as a non-affiliated peer She has been accused of … Read more