Laird blames heart failure for inability to cast votes

LORD Laird has defended voting just twice in the House of Lords while claiming £48,000 in expenses.

The Belfast-based peer said he is considered “disabled” at Westminster because of a heart condition that makes him tired and out of breath.

He said there are two reasons why he has voted so little.

They are his inability to get to the chamber in time and because many of the issues are not relevant to Northern Ireland.

The 73-year-old told the Mirror: “People have a right to ask about the money, but I work very hard for it.

“In the Lords they do recognise me as disabled.

“A portion of that money is because I am disabled and because I have got to take taxis everywhere.

“I have been in the Lords since 1999 and had a heart attack in 2007, but that turned into heart failure. That’s very difficult.

QUESTIONS

“During that first seven years I had a great time, did all sorts of things, put in all sorts of questions, did a lot of TV and radio.

“I used to do everything going. I miss all that.

“My office is too far away from the chamber for me to get there inside the requisite time to vote.

“I cannot get there in the eight minutes. The walking is not easy because I have to stop every so often. It would take nine or 10 minutes, so I don’t bother.”

Lord Laird said he still has plenty to offer the role.

He added: “I am the largest supplier of written questions in the Lords. About 14,000 in 18 years.

“In the rest of the United Kingdom people were getting some kind of deaf aid, and we weren’t getting it here – now they are.”

CHARACTER Lord Laird