Fired? No, Lords life is still so sweet for Sugar
IS ALAN Sugar about to be told: ‘You’re fired’? The Apprentice star is one of 24 peers under investigation by Parliament’s ethics watchdog over outside interests.
The famous hothead, who was rather absurdly ennobled by Gordon Brown in 2009, has been accused of failing to declare his interests correctly.
The tough transparency rules require peers to give a brief description of the work carried out by the company that pays them. It can be as vague as ‘security’ or ‘media’, yet it appears these 24 peers found this requirement too hard to meet.
So what of Lord Sugar’s interests? As well as his TV work hosting The Apprentice, Junior Apprentice and Australian Celebrity Apprentice, he has 28 directorships and finds time for paid ‘fireside chats’.
What then of his contribution to the House of Lords? Well, he hasn’t had time to vote since 2017, the last time he spoke in the Second Chamber was in 2018, and he has no written questions to his name.
Talking of which, Sugar, 74, does insist The Apprentice candidates use his title, and proudly displays it on his social media accounts, where, unlike Parliament, he sees it more worth his while to maintain his gruff presence.
The Lords Commissioners for Standards, which launched the probe last week, technically has the power to expel and suspend peers. Naturally, in this instance Lord Sugar and his fellow peers under investigation will at most be given a slap on the wrist.
Isn’t it time that the watchdog grasped the nettle and gave the boot to peers who clearly have more interest in their personal and business affairs?