Alister Jack ‘heading to House of Lords’ thanks to Boris Johnson honours list
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Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has reportedly been nominated for a peerage by Boris Johnson.
The Tory MP for Dumfries is among 20 people set to be handed places in the House of Lords by the former Prime Minister, who quit Downing Street last year.
Johnson is allowed to put names forward for awards as part of his resignation honours list.
Jack was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland by Johnson in 2019 and was a dogged supporter of him throughout the Partygate scandal that eventually forced his resignation.
He kept his Cabinet job during the short Liz Truss administration and was reappointed by Rishi Sunak when he became PM.
The Times reported that Jack is one of four Tory MPs who will be elevated to the Lords by Johnson’s resignation honours list.
Nadine Dorries, the controversial former culture secretary, Nigel Adams, a former minister, and Alok Sharma, the outgoing COP26 president, will also become peers.
All four have agreed not to take their places in the Lords until the next election, but the government has suggested that it could block their appointments.
A spokesperson for Jack said: “No comment on speculation.”
Johnson has also put his father Stanley up for a knighthood. He is among as many as 100 names put forward for awards.
The list has to be reviewed by the Cabinet Office. It is thought to be much larger than his predecessors.
Theresa May nominated 60 people while David Cameron put 62 names forward.
The nomination has also raised questions about Johnson’s using the honours system to give his family members titles.
He nominated his brother and former minister Jo for a peerage in 2020.
SNP Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Tommy Sheppard said:
“Boris Johnson is making a mockery of the honours system, just like he made a mockery of British politics.
“The idea that he could nominate his own father for a knighthood and think he could get away with it sums up the arrogance of the man.
“His entire honours list should be scrapped without delay.
“This corrupt, crony-ridden Westminster system – including the honours system – is completely outdated and unfit for purpose.
“Only with the full powers of independence can we rid ourselves of these charlatans for good, and build a fairer, more prosperous society.”
Labour Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “It is a moral outrage that Boris Johnson is nominating his cronies, those that blindly defended his lies and now even his own father to the House of Lords.
“Labour would reform the House of Lords as part of our plan to get power out of Westminster and into the hands of local communities.
“It’s time this failing Tory government is replaced with a Labour government delivering for every part of the United Kingdom.”
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