Brian Paddick would ‘definitely consider’ becoming a Lord

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There has been speculation recently he will be asked to become a peer of the realm – and Brian Paddick said today he would “definitely consider” the post if asked.

The gay former police chief, candidate for mayor of London and I’m a Celebrity contestant is reportedly on a shortlist of 60 Liberal Democrat candidates for a peerage.

He told PinkNews.co.uk: “I don’t know anything about becoming a Lord, only what’s been reported. You know as much about it as me.

“If asked, I would definitely consider it.”

When asked whether the House of Lords needs more out gay peers, he said: “It’s important that the House of Lords represents the diversity of who we have in our society.”

A Liberal Democrat spokesman confirmed he was on a list of potential peers but said no appointments would be made until late summer.

As Labour’s 211 peers in the Lords cannot be removed, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government must create dozens of its own to rebalance the upper chamber.

Estimates from the Liberal Democrats suggest the party should get 167 peers, up from 72, while the Tories should have 263, up from 186.

Paddick is the ex-deputy assistant commissioner of the Met police and was the force’s most senior out gay officer until he resigned in 2007.

In 2008, he unsuccessfully stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate for mayor of London and appeared on reality television show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

He married his Norwegian husband Petter Belsvik in a civil ceremony in Norway in January 2009.

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