Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Former MP denies claims of ‘Brexit-boost’ peerage
Sir Julian Brazier has denied any knowledge of being lined up for a peerage to help bolster the Brexit battle.
The former Canterbury MP, who lost his seat in last June’s general election in a shock result to Labour’s Rosie Duffield, says the rumour is “complete news to me”.
His name, however, is said to be on a list of EU sceptics, being drawn up by the prime minister, who will be offered a seat in the House of Lords.
His comments come just days after he announced he would not be seeking nomination as a Tory parliamentary candidate in any future general election.
Sir Julian, who was MP for Canterbury and Whitstable for 30 years, said: “I have said I want to continue to be involved in politics but a peerage seems very unlikely to me. When I was offered a knighthood, I was told a couple of months in advance but I have heard absolutely nothing about this.”
Asked whether he would accept a peerage if offered, he said: “I really am not going to speculate on it because there is absolutely no grounds at all for thinking it’s going to happen and I haven’t heard a word about it from anyone.”
However, he admitted that such a list was “likely imminent” because Brexit debates are about to start.
Others on the 10-strong list, which it is claimed was drafted by Prime Minister Theresa May, include long-serving former Cabinet ministers Eric Pickles and Peter Lilley.
On Tuesday night Sir Julian was making the case for Brexit in a debate with former Labour Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister and staunch remainer Denis Macshane at Waterstones in Canterbury.