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Lord Sugar promises to be 'blunt' Lord Sugar promises to be 'blunt'
(about 12 hours later)
Businessman and TV star Lord Sugar has delivered his maiden speech to Parliament, describing himself as a "blunt" and "honest" voice.Businessman and TV star Lord Sugar has delivered his maiden speech to Parliament, describing himself as a "blunt" and "honest" voice.
Recently ennobled by Gordon Brown and installed as an "enterprise tsar", he said he was "passionate" about helping small companies and entrepreneurs.Recently ennobled by Gordon Brown and installed as an "enterprise tsar", he said he was "passionate" about helping small companies and entrepreneurs.
But the peer, famed for his direct comments on BBC One's The Apprentice, said he would not "always be popular".But the peer, famed for his direct comments on BBC One's The Apprentice, said he would not "always be popular".
The Tories say Lord Sugar's TV role and government job are incompatible.The Tories say Lord Sugar's TV role and government job are incompatible.
But he told the House of Lords that the aim of The Apprentice was to show that business was not "dull and boring".But he told the House of Lords that the aim of The Apprentice was to show that business was not "dull and boring".
'Emerge stronger''Emerge stronger'
He said: "I'm proud through my television programme to have inspired millions of people."He said: "I'm proud through my television programme to have inspired millions of people."
Lord Sugar added that he would fight to ensure that "we will emerge stronger from the downturn".Lord Sugar added that he would fight to ensure that "we will emerge stronger from the downturn".
I am the new boy on the block - in your Lordships' House I am certainly the apprentice Lord Sugar
On the Apprentice, Lord Sugar - previously Sir Alan Sugar - is often seen berating would-be business leaders who do not live up to his standards.On the Apprentice, Lord Sugar - previously Sir Alan Sugar - is often seen berating would-be business leaders who do not live up to his standards.
He told the House of Lords: "It's this quality of honesty and straightforwardness that has me well over the last 40 years [in business]."He told the House of Lords: "It's this quality of honesty and straightforwardness that has me well over the last 40 years [in business]."
Of entering the Lords, he said: "I'm blunt and I won't always be popular... I'm passionate about assisting SME [small and medium enterprises]."Of entering the Lords, he said: "I'm blunt and I won't always be popular... I'm passionate about assisting SME [small and medium enterprises]."
And in a reference to his TV show, he told peers: "I am the new boy on the block. In your Lordships' House I am certainly the apprentice."
The BBC has delayed the 2010 series of The Apprentice until the summer to avoid a clash with the general election.The BBC has delayed the 2010 series of The Apprentice until the summer to avoid a clash with the general election.
It follows a ruling by the BBC Trust that there would be an increased "risk to impartiality" after Lord Sugar's appointment as Labour's business tsar.It follows a ruling by the BBC Trust that there would be an increased "risk to impartiality" after Lord Sugar's appointment as Labour's business tsar.
Former Commons Speaker Lord Martin also made his debut speech to the House of Lords on Wednesday.Former Commons Speaker Lord Martin also made his debut speech to the House of Lords on Wednesday.
He raised the need for more apprenticeships to be available for young people, saying they provided them with "dignity and standing".He raised the need for more apprenticeships to be available for young people, saying they provided them with "dignity and standing".
Lord Martin became a cross-bench peer after leaving the Commons earlier this year.Lord Martin became a cross-bench peer after leaving the Commons earlier this year.