FORMER Tory minister Michael Gove has been introduced to the House of Lords.
The now-Spectator editor took the title of “Lord Gove of Torry” when he was confirmed as a Baron in the Westminster upper house on Wednesday.
The Lords Clerk read a legal document stating that under the “Life Peerages Act 1958, and of all other powers in that behalf us enabling, do by these present advance, create and prefer our right trusty and well beloved counsellor, Michael Andrew Gove, to the state, degree, style, dignity, title and honour of Baron Gove of Torry in our city of Aberdeen”.
Gove then said: “I, Michael, Lord Gove, do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors according to law, so help me God.”
The formal introduction to the Lords did not see Gove make his maiden speech. That will happen at a later date of his choosing.
As a member of the House of Lords, Gove will be allowed to claim up to £361 from the public purse for each day that he attends parliament.
Gove chose the title of "Lord of Torry", associating himself with the working-class area of Aberdeen where his adopted father ran a fisheries business until the 1980s.
Gove previously said that he thought his new title would "divide" locals in the area.
His former Tory cabinet colleague, Alister Jack, is also due to be introduced to the Lords after being granted a life peerage by former prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Previously, SNP depute leader at Westminster Pete Wishart said the peerages were “one last slap in the face to the people of Scotland” from the former Tory leader.
“While Alister Jack and Michael Gove settle into their cushy ‘jobs’ for life safe, unaccountable to voters, people across Scotland are still suffering the effects of fourteen years of Tory rule,” he said.
