Johnson lines up ‘overlooked’ Brexit allies for House of Lords seats

BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to appoint half a dozen pro-brexit supporters to the House of Lords, as he faces down parliamentarians over Britain’s departure from the EU and his spending plans.

A senior source said the Prime Minister was planning to ennoble a group of previously “overlooked” figures to help “restore the balance” in the upper chamber.

Mr Johnson’s aides are expecting a series of running battles with the Commons and Lords in the autumn as he attempts to roll out domestic legislation following the UK’S planned exit from the EU on Oct 31. Pro-remain peers hijacked Theresa May’s Brexit legislation in several attempts to keep the UK closely tied to the EU.

The source said Mr Johnson was planning to appoint allies “who have been looked over in the past” for places in the Lords, in an honours list expected after Brexit.

Those touted as possible candidates include Gerard Lyons, the pro-brexit economist who has been interviewed for the role of Bank of England governor.

The disclosure comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed last month that Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s chief of staff, was expected to be appointed to the Lords in a resignation honours list due to be published imminently.