Arise, Lord Lebedev of Moscow!
THE i ntroduction of society’s favourite son of an ex-KGB spy into our revered second Chamber has met an unexpected delay.
Newspaper publisher Evgeny Lebedev, awarded a life peerage by Boris Johnson in July, flummoxed peers by requesting to have ‘Moscow’ in his title.
All members of the Lords must have a ‘territorial designation’ linking them to at least one location.
While it is highly unusual, peers can request a foreign location. But here’s the rub – the College of Arms, a Royal corporation that keeps the Roll of the Peerage, must make a formal request to the government of the country in question.
So before Lebedev can take his place at the Lords, the Kremlin has to sign off the title.
The idea of waiting for a green l i ght f r om t he country more familiar with its reds has not deterred Lebedev, who is known for his cultured tastes. In his London office he reportedly keeps a ‘library’ of scented oils.
His idea of a trip to the pub (in his Jaguar car) involves buying one with thespian Sir Ian McKellen.
Homes include Stud House, in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, and a Tuscan villa popular with politicians of all persuasions. Mail on Sunday readers of course know he doesn’t shy away from his Russian roots – having recently written of his pride in becoming the first Russian peer and accused critics of casual racism.
So, Lord Lebedev of Hampton and Moscow, prepare to don your ermine robes. Or does he have his eye on a bearskin instead?