LONDON - Former Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey was among 54 new working peers announced by Downing Street yesterday. Sir Reg stood down as leader this year after his party failed to win any seats in the general election.
Among others appointed to the House of Lords as Conservative peers were film director and screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who is the creator of hit ITV period drama Downton Abbey.
The list also included party donors including millionaire car importer Bob Edmiston and Conservative co-treasurer Stanley Fink, as well as Tory fundraiser Andrew Feldman.
Divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, whose clients have included Paul McCartney and the Prince of Wales, will also become a Tory peer. Michael Grade, the former BBC chairman and ITV executive chairman, will also become a Conservative peer, as will businessman Michael Bishop.
Ex-Tory MPs who are to join the House of Lords include Howard Flight, the former Conservative deputy chairman forced to resign after being taped before the 2005 general election suggesting the Tories had secret spending cut plans.
The others are Richard Spring, former chief whip David Maclean and Michael Lord, who became deputy speaker of the Commons.
Among the Labour names is Stewart Wood, a former aide to Gordon Brown who hit the headlines in March over reports that the former prime minister had shoved him aside in a fit of rage.
The Labour benches will be joined also by Dame Joan Bakewell - once described as "the thinking man's crumpet". Labour donor Gulam Noon, the curry tycoon, has also been honoured.
Labour Party general secretary Ray Collins and former Labour MP Oona King are also to receive peerages.
Former army chief Gen Sir Richard Dannatt is to take a place in the Lords as a crossbencher, despite being nominated by David Cameron when he was leader of the Opposition. - (PA)