Lords give Tom Watson a frosty reception

Sir Keir Starmer has tried to make great play recently of his reforming credentials, pledging earlier this month to abolish the House of Lords. So it was some irony then that Starmer’s own nominee Tom Watson entered that very chamber yesterday as perhaps one of the most controversial new life peers created in recent years.

Watson used his maiden speech in the Upper House to apologise to the widow of the late Lord Brittan, whose home was raided by police after claims that he was involved in the confected Westminster paedophile controversy – a cause which Watson eagerly promoted.

However, while such an apology is no doubt appreciated by some, others unfairly embroiled in the scandal feel aggrieved at being overlooked. Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, declared that:

His maiden speech could have been the appropriate moment to apologise to all. By not doing so, it’s clear his omission is deliberate and that he is never going to apologise to me.