Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

United Kingdom

Cricket legend Sir Ian Botham takes his seat in The Lords

England cricket legend Ian Botham has returned to Lords – but this time to take his seat in the upper house.

Lord Botham was formally introduced the House of Lords.

Wearing the traditional scarlet and ermine-trimmed robe, he swore his allegiance to the Queen.

Advertisement

However, the ceremony was delayed because “rain had stopped play”.

Technical problems hampered the start of the proceedings.

It prompted Lord Speaker Lord Fowler to tell peers:

“It means at the moment no words can be heard outside the House, which is a slight disadvantage.”

“I think rain has stopped play just for the moment.”

Lord Botham – supported by Tory peer Lord Price and former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Lord Judge – will sit as an independent crossbencher.

The clerk referred to him as Baron Botham of Ravensworth, his home village, however he will be known as Lord Botham.

Lord Botham told the chamber:

“I, Ian Lord Botham, do swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and her successors, according to the law. So, help me God.”

He will sit as a non-party political crossbench peer.

Lord Botham – one of cricket’s greatest players – was nominated by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Lord Botham was an ardent and vociferous Brexiteer.

His name – I T Botham – appears on the prestigious Honours’ Board at Lords.

At the London ground in 1978 he scored a swashbuckling 108 off 110 balls against Pakistan.

He then routed the tourists with his bowling – taking 8-34 in their second innings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Trending

Latest Tweets

Advertisement

You May Also Like

United Kingdom

Film director Ridley Scott has recalled the death of actor Oliver Reed while making the Oscar winning blockbuster Gladiator. Scott said hard-drinking Reed “just...

Business

The controversial Russian businessman Viktor Baturin, well-known for his years-long counterstanding with his wealthy sister Elena, widow of Moscow ex-mayor Yuri Luzhkov, is likely...

United Kingdom

The Tremeloes. Dave Munden centre Dave Munden the Tremeloes drummer – and often lead singer – with the 60s chart toppers has died. He...

United Kingdom

The Watneys Party Seven is making a comeback. The ubiquitous 70s beer was a bland fizzing bitter ridiculed by many. The drink’s insipidness helped...