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| House of Lords: Outcry as donors, fixers and MPs caught up in expenses scandal are handed peerages | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Disgraced MPs who cheated on their expenses, a multimillionaire Tory donor, a group of back-room political fixers and an alcohol industry lobbyist have been ennobled by David Cameron, sparking renewed calls for root-and-branch reform of the House of Lords. | Disgraced MPs who cheated on their expenses, a multimillionaire Tory donor, a group of back-room political fixers and an alcohol industry lobbyist have been ennobled by David Cameron, sparking renewed calls for root-and-branch reform of the House of Lords. |
| The 26 new Tory peers, along with 11 new Liberal Democrats and eight new Labour Lords, will take the membership of the Upper House to more than 800 – making it the second-largest legislative assembly in the world after the National People’s Congress of China. | The 26 new Tory peers, along with 11 new Liberal Democrats and eight new Labour Lords, will take the membership of the Upper House to more than 800 – making it the second-largest legislative assembly in the world after the National People’s Congress of China. |
| The new members will cost the taxpayer up to £13,500 a day in expenses when the Lords is sitting. Of the 45 new peers, over 90 per cent were previously MPs, MEPs, councillors, former political staff or party figures. | The new members will cost the taxpayer up to £13,500 a day in expenses when the Lords is sitting. Of the 45 new peers, over 90 per cent were previously MPs, MEPs, councillors, former political staff or party figures. |
| Among the largest group are ex-MPs – 24 in total – almost half of whom had to repay, between them, some £55,000 in overpaid or unjustified expenses. They include Douglas Hogg who indirectly billed the taxpayer for the cost of cleaning his moat and tuning his piano at his country house. | Among the largest group are ex-MPs – 24 in total – almost half of whom had to repay, between them, some £55,000 in overpaid or unjustified expenses. They include Douglas Hogg who indirectly billed the taxpayer for the cost of cleaning his moat and tuning his piano at his country house. |
| Tory Grandee Douglas Hogg | |
| Mr Hogg, who eventually agreed to pay back £20,000 in overclaimed expenses, had previously been nominated for a peerage by David Cameron in 2011 but was blocked by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. | Mr Hogg, who eventually agreed to pay back £20,000 in overclaimed expenses, had previously been nominated for a peerage by David Cameron in 2011 but was blocked by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. |
| This time round the Commission let him in but blocked five other peers nominated by the Conservatives, one Liberal Democrat and one from the Democratic Unionist Party. | This time round the Commission let him in but blocked five other peers nominated by the Conservatives, one Liberal Democrat and one from the Democratic Unionist Party. |
| Mr Cameron was also accused of hypocrisy after it emerged that he told the Commission in 2012 to appoint no more than two independent crossbench peers a year – while nominating hundreds of political appointees to the chamber himself. In the past five years Mr Cameron has appointed 236 new peers, of which only eight have been non-political Commission appointments. | Mr Cameron was also accused of hypocrisy after it emerged that he told the Commission in 2012 to appoint no more than two independent crossbench peers a year – while nominating hundreds of political appointees to the chamber himself. In the past five years Mr Cameron has appointed 236 new peers, of which only eight have been non-political Commission appointments. |
| This, experts said, would fundamentally alter the nature of the House of Lords over time – reducing its independent expertise and making it increasingly subservient to the Government. | This, experts said, would fundamentally alter the nature of the House of Lords over time – reducing its independent expertise and making it increasingly subservient to the Government. |
| “Independent peers are one of the very few things that the public likes about the House of Lords but David Cameron appears intent on reducing their influence,” said Professor Meg Russell, deputy director of the Constitution Unit at University College London. | “Independent peers are one of the very few things that the public likes about the House of Lords but David Cameron appears intent on reducing their influence,” said Professor Meg Russell, deputy director of the Constitution Unit at University College London. |
| “We need an immediate cap on the size of the chamber, a brake on prime ministerial appointments, and a move to a far more regulated system. | “We need an immediate cap on the size of the chamber, a brake on prime ministerial appointments, and a move to a far more regulated system. |
| “The Lords is in danger of serious crisis, and I believe bodies such as the Lords Constitution Committee, or perhaps even the Lord Speaker, now need to step in and help forge agreement for urgent change. The current system is costly to the taxpayer, damaging to Parliament, and badly needs to stop.” | “The Lords is in danger of serious crisis, and I believe bodies such as the Lords Constitution Committee, or perhaps even the Lord Speaker, now need to step in and help forge agreement for urgent change. The current system is costly to the taxpayer, damaging to Parliament, and badly needs to stop.” |
| Labour’s leader in the Lords, Baroness Smith, said: “David Cameron has appointed peers at a faster rate than any other prime minister since 1958, for the most part to the government side of the House and with fewer on the crossbenches.” | Labour’s leader in the Lords, Baroness Smith, said: “David Cameron has appointed peers at a faster rate than any other prime minister since 1958, for the most part to the government side of the House and with fewer on the crossbenches.” |
| David Cameron has appointed 26 new Tory peers (PA) | |
| She added: “Appointing new peers purely on the basis of them becoming voting fodder completely misses the point of the Lords’ constitutional role.” | She added: “Appointing new peers purely on the basis of them becoming voting fodder completely misses the point of the Lords’ constitutional role.” |
| Among the new Tory peers is James Lupton, a businessman who has given the Tories nearly £3m and is facing questions over allegations that he used his influence with ministers to persuade them to support the troubled charity Kids Company against the advice of civil servants. | Among the new Tory peers is James Lupton, a businessman who has given the Tories nearly £3m and is facing questions over allegations that he used his influence with ministers to persuade them to support the troubled charity Kids Company against the advice of civil servants. |
| Mr Lupton has admitted lobbying the Department of Education on behalf of the charity in the run-up to a £3m grant being awarded to it. | Mr Lupton has admitted lobbying the Department of Education on behalf of the charity in the run-up to a £3m grant being awarded to it. |
| There is also an honour for Stuart Polak who has turned the Conservative Friends of Israel into a formidable fundraising machine for the Tories – with donations of millions of pounds from Britain’s Jewish community. | There is also an honour for Stuart Polak who has turned the Conservative Friends of Israel into a formidable fundraising machine for the Tories – with donations of millions of pounds from Britain’s Jewish community. |
| Mr Cameron has also chosen to honour a number of back-room political staff – by appointing some of them peers while giving others lesser honours for “public service”. | Mr Cameron has also chosen to honour a number of back-room political staff – by appointing some of them peers while giving others lesser honours for “public service”. |
| Two former Tory Downing Street aides Kate Fall and James O’Shaughnessy will go into the Lords along with Simone Finn, an adviser to the trade minister Francis Maude, and Philippa Stroud an adviser to Iain Duncan Smith. | Two former Tory Downing Street aides Kate Fall and James O’Shaughnessy will go into the Lords along with Simone Finn, an adviser to the trade minister Francis Maude, and Philippa Stroud an adviser to Iain Duncan Smith. |
| Another new peer is Kevin Shinkwin – described by the Government as a “voluntary sector professional”. But for the last two years Mr Shinkwin has been working as a lobbyist for the Wine and Spirits Trade Association. Its website describes him as “a seasoned campaigner with a record of securing tangible outcomes”. | Another new peer is Kevin Shinkwin – described by the Government as a “voluntary sector professional”. But for the last two years Mr Shinkwin has been working as a lobbyist for the Wine and Spirits Trade Association. Its website describes him as “a seasoned campaigner with a record of securing tangible outcomes”. |
| There are OBEs for Mr Cameron’s former speechwriter Clare Foges, his public appearance manager Liz Sugg and his constituency manager Caroline Balcon. Nick Clegg’s constituency manager is only appointed MBE. | There are OBEs for Mr Cameron’s former speechwriter Clare Foges, his public appearance manager Liz Sugg and his constituency manager Caroline Balcon. Nick Clegg’s constituency manager is only appointed MBE. |
| Some in the Conservative Party suggested that Mr Cameron could be deliberately “stacking” the Lords with “cronies” in an attempt to make the chamber “unsustainable”. One senior government aide suggested that Mr Cameron and George Osborne would like to see the Lords reformed but with such a small majority don’t believe they can achieve it themselves. | Some in the Conservative Party suggested that Mr Cameron could be deliberately “stacking” the Lords with “cronies” in an attempt to make the chamber “unsustainable”. One senior government aide suggested that Mr Cameron and George Osborne would like to see the Lords reformed but with such a small majority don’t believe they can achieve it themselves. |
| They argue that the only way to make change happen is to make the second chamber so unacceptable that the Lords decides to reform itself. A Downing Street spokesman said that Mr Cameron wanted the House of Lords to address reform. | They argue that the only way to make change happen is to make the second chamber so unacceptable that the Lords decides to reform itself. A Downing Street spokesman said that Mr Cameron wanted the House of Lords to address reform. |
| Alexandra Runswick, director of Unlock Democracy, said she was deeply disappointed by the list. “The latest appointments to the House of Lords feature the usual suspects – party donors, lobbyists, and unelected advisers,” she said. | Alexandra Runswick, director of Unlock Democracy, said she was deeply disappointed by the list. “The latest appointments to the House of Lords feature the usual suspects – party donors, lobbyists, and unelected advisers,” she said. |
| Michelle Mone was among the new appointees (Getty) | |
| “Even the Government knows that appointing more cronies is an undemocratic outrage. That’s why the announcement of new peers has been repeatedly delayed. It’s time to stop filling the Lords and start fixing it.” | “Even the Government knows that appointing more cronies is an undemocratic outrage. That’s why the announcement of new peers has been repeatedly delayed. It’s time to stop filling the Lords and start fixing it.” |
| Nick Maxwell, head of research at Transparency International, said that since 2001, 30 big-donor peers had donated a combined worth of over £48m to political parties. “Without reform, there will continue to be public suspicion that some people can effectively buy their way into Parliament”. | Nick Maxwell, head of research at Transparency International, said that since 2001, 30 big-donor peers had donated a combined worth of over £48m to political parties. “Without reform, there will continue to be public suspicion that some people can effectively buy their way into Parliament”. |
| Katie Ghose, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said the new peers would cost the taxpayer at least an extra £1.2m a year. | Katie Ghose, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said the new peers would cost the taxpayer at least an extra £1.2m a year. |
| “At a time when the Government is talking about reducing the cost of politics, this announcement is an expensive insult to the public,” she said. “Today’s further expansion of the Lords – part of the constant arms race to pack the chamber with loyalists, whichever party is in power – shows the system is well and truly bust. The rapid growth in size and cost of our upper chamber is a national scandal, and the sooner we sort out this mess the better.” | “At a time when the Government is talking about reducing the cost of politics, this announcement is an expensive insult to the public,” she said. “Today’s further expansion of the Lords – part of the constant arms race to pack the chamber with loyalists, whichever party is in power – shows the system is well and truly bust. The rapid growth in size and cost of our upper chamber is a national scandal, and the sooner we sort out this mess the better.” |
| James Arbuthnot | James Arbuthnot |
| Former MP for North East Hampshire and front bench minister | Former MP for North East Hampshire and front bench minister |
| Greg Barker | Greg Barker |
| Former MP for Bexhill and Battle and former Minister of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change | Former MP for Bexhill and Battle and former Minister of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change |
| Kate Fall | Kate Fall |
| Earns about £100,000 as PM’s deputy chief of staff | Earns about £100,000 as PM’s deputy chief of staff |
| Simone Finn | Simone Finn |
| Special adviser to the Minister of State for Trade | Special adviser to the Minister of State for Trade |
| Stephen Gilbert | Stephen Gilbert |
| Deputy chairman of the Conservative Party | Deputy chairman of the Conservative Party |
| William Hague | William Hague |
| Former MP for Richmond and former Foreign Secretary | Former MP for Richmond and former Foreign Secretary |
| Robert Hayward OBE | Robert Hayward OBE |
| Former MP for Kingswood, board member of Dignity in Dying and a trustee of the YMCA | Former MP for Kingswood, board member of Dignity in Dying and a trustee of the YMCA |
| Douglas Hogg QC | Douglas Hogg QC |
| Former MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham and held several ministerial roles. Indirectly billed taxpayers for cleaning the moat at his country house and tuning his piano. Had to repay £20,639 | Former MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham and held several ministerial roles. Indirectly billed taxpayers for cleaning the moat at his country house and tuning his piano. Had to repay £20,639 |
| Andrew Lansley CBE | Andrew Lansley CBE |
| Former MP for South Cambridgeshire and former cabinet minister. Claimed for having thatched Tudor cottage painted and driveway re-shingled before selling for £433,000. Repaid £4,733. | Former MP for South Cambridgeshire and former cabinet minister. Claimed for having thatched Tudor cottage painted and driveway re-shingled before selling for £433,000. Repaid £4,733. |
| James Lupton CBE | James Lupton CBE |
| Chairman of Greenhill Europe and former co-treasurer of the Conservative Party | Chairman of Greenhill Europe and former co-treasurer of the Conservative Party |
| Ruby McGregor Smith CBE | Ruby McGregor Smith CBE |
| CEO of Mitie Group PLC | CEO of Mitie Group PLC |
| Anne McIntosh | Anne McIntosh |
| Former MP for Thirsk and Malton and chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee | Former MP for Thirsk and Malton and chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee |
| Michelle Mone OBE | Michelle Mone OBE |
| Entrepreneur on the board of directors for The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust | Entrepreneur on the board of directors for The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust |
| James O’Shaughnessy | James O’Shaughnessy |
| Managing director of Floreat Education | Managing director of Floreat Education |
| Emma Pidding CBE | Emma Pidding CBE |
| Former Chiltern District Councillor and former chairman of the National Conservative Convention | Former Chiltern District Councillor and former chairman of the National Conservative Convention |
| Stuart Polak CBE | Stuart Polak CBE |
| director of the Conservative Friends of Israel | director of the Conservative Friends of Israel |
| Gary Porter | Gary Porter |
| Councillor for South Holland District Council and chairman of the Local Government Association | Councillor for South Holland District Council and chairman of the Local Government Association |
| Liz Redfern | Liz Redfern |
| Leader of North Lincolnshire Council | Leader of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Andrew Robathan | Andrew Robathan |
| Former MP for South Leicestershire and several front bench and government roles | Former MP for South Leicestershire and several front bench and government roles |
| Kate Rock | Kate Rock |
| Vice-chairman of the Conservative Party | Vice-chairman of the Conservative Party |
| Jane Scott OBE | Jane Scott OBE |
| Leader of Wiltshire Council | Leader of Wiltshire Council |
| Kevin Shinkwin | Kevin Shinkwin |
| Long-standing voluntary sector professional; lobbyist for Wine and Spirits trade association | Long-standing voluntary sector professional; lobbyist for Wine and Spirits trade association |
| Philip Smith CBE | Philip Smith CBE |
| Chief executive of Association of Conservative Clubs | Chief executive of Association of Conservative Clubs |
| Philippa Stroud | Philippa Stroud |
| Special adviser to the Work and Pensions Secretary | Special adviser to the Work and Pensions Secretary |
| David Willetts | David Willetts |
| Former MP for Havant and several front bench roles | Former MP for Havant and several front bench roles |
| Sir George Young Bt CH | Sir George Young Bt CH |
| Former MP for North West Hampshire and former cabinet minister | Former MP for North West Hampshire and former cabinet minister |
| Sir Alan Beith | Sir Alan Beith |
| Former MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed and former chair of the Justice Select Committee | Former MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed and former chair of the Justice Select Committee |
| Sharon Bowles | Sharon Bowles |
| Former MEP for South East England | Former MEP for South East England |
| Sir Malcolm Bruce | Sir Malcolm Bruce |
| Former MP for Gordon, and former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats | Former MP for Gordon, and former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats |
| Lorley Burt | Lorley Burt |
| Former MP for Solihull and former chair of the Liberal Democrats | Former MP for Solihull and former chair of the Liberal Democrats |
| Sir Menzies ‘Ming’ Campbell CH, CBE, QC | Sir Menzies ‘Ming’ Campbell CH, CBE, QC |
| Former MP for North East Fife and former Leader of the Liberal Democrats | Former MP for North East Fife and former Leader of the Liberal Democrats |
| Lynne Featherstone | Lynne Featherstone |
| Former MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and held several Ministerial positions | Former MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and held several Ministerial positions |
| Don Foster | Don Foster |
| Former MP for Bath and former Liberal Democrat Chief Whip | Former MP for Bath and former Liberal Democrat Chief Whip |
| Jonny Oates | Jonny Oates |
| Former Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Coalition Government | Former Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Coalition Government |
| Shas Sheehan | Shas Sheehan |
| Former Councillor for Kew and involved in several community groups | Former Councillor for Kew and involved in several community groups |
| Sir Andrew Stunell | Sir Andrew Stunell |
| Former MP for Hazel Grove and former DCLG Minister | Former MP for Hazel Grove and former DCLG Minister |
| Dorothy Thornhill MBE | Dorothy Thornhill MBE |
| Mayor of Watford; former councillor and assistant headteacher | Mayor of Watford; former councillor and assistant headteacher |
| David Blunkett | David Blunkett |
| Former MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough and former cabinet minister | Former MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough and former cabinet minister |
| Alistair Darling | Alistair Darling |
| Former MP for Edinburgh South West and former cabinet minister | Former MP for Edinburgh South West and former cabinet minister |
| Peter Hain | Peter Hain |
| Former MP for Neath and former cabinet minister | Former MP for Neath and former cabinet minister |
| Rt Hon Tessa Jowell DBE | Rt Hon Tessa Jowell DBE |
| Former MP for Dulwich and West Norwood and former cabinet minister | Former MP for Dulwich and West Norwood and former cabinet minister |
| Spencer Livermore | Spencer Livermore |
| Senior Campaign Strategist for the Labour Party | Senior Campaign Strategist for the Labour Party |
| Paul Murphy | Paul Murphy |
| Former MP for Torfaen and former cabinet minister | Former MP for Torfaen and former cabinet minister |
| Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo DBE | Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo DBE |
| Former MP for Bristol South and former minister | Former MP for Bristol South and former minister |
| Dave Watts | Dave Watts |
| Former MP for St Helens North and former chair of Parliamentary Labour | Former MP for St Helens North and former chair of Parliamentary Labour |
| Party | Party |