Row over Brexiteer Sir Ian Botham going into bat for Lords
CRICKET hero and Brexit warrior Sir Ian Botham is on his way to the House of Lords, it has been reported.
The former England star is understood to be among 30 new peers to be announced later this month.
He is set to join four former Labour
MPS – including Brexiteers Frank Field and Gisela Stuart. Sir Ian, 64, campaigned for Brexit in the run-up to the 2016 referendum. Sir Ian, who secured his place in the history books with 5,200 test runs and 383 wickets, warned that EU cash “gets swallowed up by waste and corruption”.
SNP MP Petewishart blasted the reports of the cricketer’s elevation to the Upper House, saying: “The most ridiculous chamber in the world is going to get a bit more absurd.” But ex-brexit
Party MEP Martin Daubney challenged the idea that the peerage was a reward for Brexit loyalty.
He said: “What about the fact he was the most outstanding cricketer of his generation who has raised millions for charity?”
Yesterday, Sir Ian parried speculation that he will soon be enobled.
It is also reported there will be peerages for ex-labour MPS Ian Austin and John Woodcock, who backed Remain but supported Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.
The PM is also expected to try and heal the wounds in thetory party by giving peerages to Ken Clarke, Philip Hammond and Edvaizey, who lost the whip after backing a bid to block a no-deal Brexit.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has described Sir Ian as his “sporting hero”.