SIR Keir Starmer has triggered a fresh cronyism row by packing the House of Lords with 30 new peers – despite vowing to slim it down.
Ex-MPs and his ex-chief of staff Sue Gray are among those handed life peerages in the controversial move, rubber-stamped today.
Among the big winners are Labour stalwarts Thangam Debbonaire, Julie Elliott, Lyn Brown, and Kevin Brennan.
Ms Debbonaire, who served as Shadow Culture Secretary, lost her Bristol West seat to the Greens in a humiliating election night defeat.
The return of Sue Gray – who famously quit as Starmer’s chief of staff after just four months – is set to raise eyebrows.
The former civil servant’s promotion comes after her controversial role in the Partygate investigation that helped topple Boris Johnson.
A string of union barons were also nominated, including hard-left former teaching union boss Dr Mary Bousted.
The new appointments come as Sir Keir pushes legislation to axe the remaining 92 hereditary peers from the chamber, branding them “outdated.”
Some members of the Labour party believe that appointing new peers is important to create more equality in the House of Lords. Currently, the Conservative party holds 273 seats, while Labour only has 187.
