Latest news with #peerage
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ex-Cabinet Secretary Simon Case is handed peerage despite grovelling apology for Covid WhatsApps branding officials 'feral' and 'pygmies'
A former head of the Civil Service has been handed a peerage despite controversy over his time at the heart of government. Simon Case, who stood down as Cabinet secretary last year after four years, will become a crossbencher former national security adviser Tim Barrow, it has been announced. Lord Case, a former aide to the Prince of Wales, served under four prime ministers between 202 and 2024, leading the Civil Service during the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the funeral of Elizabeth II. But his tenure was not without controversy. He was forced to recuse himself from leading an investigation into the ' Partygate ' scandal following allegations his own office had held a Christmas event during lockdown - though he was not one of those fined over the scandal. In 2023, evidence presented to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry revealed he was often exasperated by the Johnson administration. Messages revealed he found Mr Johnson's style of working 'very frustrating' and described his day-to-day administration as 'dysfunctional'. In July 2020, before he became Cabinet Secretary, he told a friend: 'I've never seen a bunch of people less well-equipped to run a country.' He also described Mr Johnson and his inner circle as 'basically feral'. Others to be given peerages include Olympic gold medalist Katherine Grainger and former John Lewis chairwoman Sharon White. Baroness Grainger, now chairwoman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), is Britain's most decorated female rower. In addition to winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, she won four silver medals – in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2016 – and six world championship titles. Baroness Grainger then spent eight years as chairwoman of UK Sport before leaving the post this year and taking up the leadership of the BOA. Lord Barrow played a key role in Brexit negotiations as the UK's representative to the EU between 2017 and 2021, before becoming national security adviser under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. He had been lined up by Mr Sunak to take over as ambassador to the US, but the change of government last year led to Sir Keir Starmer appointing Lord Peter Mandelson instead. Baroness White was the first black person and second woman to become a permanent secretary at the Treasury, before serving as CEO of Ofcom between 2015 and 2019. She then chaired John Lewis between 2020 and 2024.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Olympic rower and former cabinet secretary made peers
Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former cabinet secretary Simon Case have been given peerages, Downing Street has announced. The pair, along with former national security adviser Tim Barrow and former John Lewis chairwoman Sharon White, will join the House of Lords as non-aligned crossbench peers. Baroness Grainger, now chairwoman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), is Britain's most decorated female rower. In addition to winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, she won four silver medals – in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2016 – and six world championship titles. Baroness Grainger then spent eight years as chairwoman of UK Sport before leaving the post this year and taking up the leadership of the BOA. Lord Case became cabinet secretary in September 2020, having previously served as private secretary to the Duke of Cambridge. He stepped down at the end of 2024, having led the Civil Service during the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the funeral of Elizabeth II. But his tenure was not without controversy, as he was forced to recuse himself from leading an investigation into the 'Partygate' scandal following allegations his office had held a Christmas event during lockdown. Lord Case was not one of those fined over the scandal. Lord Barrow played a key role in Brexit negotiations as the UK's representative to the EU between 2017 and 2021, before becoming national security adviser under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. He had been lined up by Mr Sunak to take over as ambassador to the US, but the change of government last year led to Sir Keir Starmer appointing Lord Peter Mandelson instead. Baroness White was the first black person and second woman to become a permanent secretary at the Treasury, before serving as CEO of Ofcom between 2015 and 2019. She then chaired John Lewis between 2020 and 2024.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Michael Gove takes his seat in the Lords: Ex-Tory minister becomes Baron Gove of Torry after being handed a peerage by Rishi Sunak
Former Tory minister Michael Gove took his seat in the House of Lords today. Baron Gove of Torry was sworn in to the upper chamber this morning, having been handed a peerage by outgoing PM Rishi Sunak. The Tory veteran, who was handed a peerage in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list, wore the traditional scarlet robes for the short introduction ceremony at Westminster, where he swore the oath of allegiance to the King. Torry is the maritime area of Aberdeen where his father, Ernest, ran a fish-processing business. Mr Gove stood down at the last election after 19 years as MP for Surrey Heath, having held Cabinet positions including education secretary. He also helped to lead the Brexit campaign in 2016, before a high-profile falling out with Boris Johnson as they vied to lead the Conservative Party. He is now the editor of the Spectator magazine - also once edited by Mr Johnson. He was supported by close allies and fellow Conservative peers Baroness Finn and Lord Vaizey of Didcot. As he left the chamber, Lord Gove laughed loudly at a whispered comment made by leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon as she welcomed him to the upper chamber. The politician, who had been MP for Surrey Heath since 2005, was among the most high-profile members of the Conservative Party to call time on his Commons career at the last election. He cited the 'toll' of public office as he said it was time to let 'a new generation lead' following a political career spanning nearly 20 years. He conceded he had 'undoubtedly made mistakes' throughout his political career but said he had always 'tried to be a voice for those who have been overlooked and undervalued'. When in Government he sparked controversy after he suggested the upper chamber could move to Stoke-on-Trent during the multibillion-pound restoration of the parliamentary estate. The then levelling up secretary put forward the idea after ruling out the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, which is just a few minutes' walk from the Palace of Westminster in London, as an alternative location. It led former Lord Speaker Lord Fowler to accuse him of acting 'like a 19th century mill owner'. Speaking to the Aberdeen Evening Express last month about his title, Mr Gove said: 'It's really in memory of my dad who passed away in 2023. He meant everything to me. He was a wonderful man. 'I'd love for my dad to be remembered just as he was; a hard worker, a good businessman and someone who always cared about other people, someone who always tried to give a start to people others didn't see the potential in.' Mr Gove, now 57, was born Graeme Andrew Logan in Aberdeen on August 26, 1967. He was taken in and then adopted by Ernest and his wife, Christine, arriving with nothing but the clothes on his back.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
The former West MPs with new roles in the House of Lords
To MPs in the Commons it is known as "the other place".But being elevated to the House of Lords has provided a way back to the political fray for two former West Country Conservative Transport Secretary Mark Harper and ex-Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire were awarded life peerages following their respective defeats at last year's general said: "I'm hoping to be working hard. I'm going to be a working peer, so I shall be here as much as I can when the House is sitting and I'll get stuck in." The new role marks a return to politics for Harper, who lost his Forest of Dean constituency in Gloucestershire by less than 300 votes in July added that in his new position he hoped to contribute to internal Conservative party debates around how to be competitive again and "hopefully win the next general election".Labour's Debbonaire, defeated by the Green Party in Bristol Central, expressed a similar desire to immerse herself in her new role, calling it an "incredible privilege"."It wasn't a hard decision, primarily because I went into politics because I believe in public service, like most politicians of all parties," she said. "It was a new way to serve the public, which is your first and primary duty." She added: "Bringing my skills to work on a daily basis is really, I think, of benefit to my service to the public and the country."Critics have pointed to Debbonaire's previous criticism of the honours system and Labour's former committal to abolishing the House of Debbonaire said that a second chamber was necessary, and the government was following through on commitments to remove hereditary and Debbonaire join another familiar face who has recently taken his seat in the chamber, Bristol's former Mayor, Marvin known as Lord Rees of Easton, the new Labour peer made his maiden speech on 3 are all back in the political fray, spending time in the House debating and voting, but also having other roles elsewhere.
