Friday 08 August 2014 11:15 am | Updated: Friday 07 June 2019 2:17 am

Karren Brady among 22 new peers as David Cameron fields accusations of cronyism

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady is among 22 new peers announced by the government today.

The former Apprentice TV show judge is one of 12 new Tory peers, along with former chief executive of Marks and Spencer Sir Stuart Rose.

Three new Labour peers, six from the Liberal Democrats and a Democratic Unionist Party member, will also enter the House of Lords.

Michael Cashman, former EastEnders actor and founder of Stonewall, will be joined by former deputy secretary general of the Labour party Chris Rennie and Dame Gail Rebuck, chief executive at Random House UK, on the Labour benches.

Cashman told the BBC: "It's a huge and humbling honour…it gives me a huge opportunity to continue the work that I am passionate about – international development, human rights and giving a voice to the voiceless."

There are now a total of 796 peers in the House of Lords, compared to 650 MPs in the House of Commons, and some have accused the Prime Minister of cronyism over the large intake of party donors.

Other Conservative peers include Ranbir Singh Suri, the founder of Oceanic Jewellers who has personally donated over £100,000 to the Tory party, and Joanna Shields, chair of Tech City UK and digital advisor to David Cameron.

NEW CONSERVATIVE PEERS

Karren Brady CBE – vice-chairman of West Ham FC; senior non-executive director of the Syco and Arcadia Brands; small business ambassador for the Conservative Party; and member of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Women in Sport advisory board.
Martin Callanan – former Conservative member of the European parliament for the north east of England; former leader of the Conservative MEPs and of the European Conservatives and Reformists group.
Carlyn Chisholm – senior volunteer in the Conservative Party; co-chairman of the Conservative Candidate’s Committee.
Andrew Cooper – former director of political operations to the Conservative party; founder and board director of Populus.
Natalie Evans – director of New Schools Network, an independent educational charity established to provide free advice and support for groups wanting to set up free schools.
Michael Farmer – founding partner of RK Mine Finance Group; trustee of the Kingham Hill Trust; treasurer of the Conservative party.
Dido Harding – chief executive of TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC.
Arminka Helic – government special adviser; leading adviser to government on preventing sexual violence in conflict.
Nosheena Mobarik CBE – businesswomen; former chairman of CBI Scotland; founder and convener of the Scotland Pakistan Network; chairman of the Pakistan Britain Trade and Investment Forum.
Sir Stuart Rose – former chief executive and chairman of Marks and Spencer PLC.
Joanna Shields OBE – leading technology industry executive and entrepreneur; the Prime Minister’s digital adviser; chair of Tech City UK; and non-executive director of the London Stock Exchange.
Ranbir Suri – businessman; former General Secretary of the Board of British Sikhs.

NEW LABOUR PEERS

Michael Cashman – former MEP for West Midlands MEP and former actor.
Chris Lennie – former deputy secretary general of the Labour Party.
Dame Gail Rebuck – chairman of Penguin Random House UK publishers.

NEW LIB DEM PEERS

Chris Fox – director of group communications for GKN; former chief executive of the Liberal Democrats.
David Goddard – elected member of Stockport Metropolitan Council (Liberal Democrat); former leader of Stockport Council; former member of the Greater Manchester Police Authority; and former non-executive director of Manchester International Airport.
Barbara Janke – elected member (Liberal Democrat) and former leader of Bristol City Council.
Kath Pinnock – elected member (Liberal Democrat) and former leader of Kirklees Council.
Paul Scriven – managing partner for Scriven Consulting; former elected member (Liberal Democrat) and leader of Sheffield City Council.
Dr Julie Smith – elected member of Cambridge City Council; senior lecturer in International Relations in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at Cambridge University.