Martin peerage could ‘diminish’ Lords

Michael Martin, the disgraced Speaker of the Commons who was forced to quit over his dubious handling of the recent expenses scandal, was elevated to the House of Lords yesterday - despite a warning to Gordon Brown that Martin's presence could "diminish" the upper house.

In an unprecedented move, the independent appointments commission, which advises on whether or not a candidate is suitable for the Lords, wrote to Brown urging him to block the appointment, a convention for former Speakers.

The commission, chaired by Lord Jay of Ewelme, a former ambassador to France, said that it was his duty "to advise the prime minister if it [the commission] has any concerns about the propriety of a nominee".

Lord Jay's letter went on: "Propriety means... the individual should be a credible nominee. The commission's main criterion in assessing this is whether the appointment would enhance rather than diminish the workings and the reputation of the House of Lords itself and the appointments system generally."

Because the commission has no powers of veto, Martin's appointment went ahead anyway. On Monday, government whip Helen Jones, announced that the Queen wished to award Martin a peerage "for his eminent services during the period in which he has, with such distinguished ability and dignity, presided in the chair of this house".

This announcement was greeted with widespread derision. Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, a Treasury spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said: "This is old-fashioned nonsense. Parliament should start using words that people understand and believe. Michael Martin should not be handed a P45 in an ermine envelope."

In the meantime, the by-election in Glasgow North East, forced by Martin's resignation, is expected to be delayed until November, after the party conference season. The Labour party has chosen as its candidate a locally-born university lecturer, William Bain, to try to fight off what is expected to be a strong challenge from the Scottish National Party. ·