House of Lords news stories on Newser

British Lord Guilty of Expenses Scam

Rob Quinn — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 02:00:00 CST

A member of Britain's House of Lords could be facing time in the jailhouse for fiddling his expenses to swindle taxpayers out of $18,000. A jury found Lord Taylor of Warwick—who lied about having a residence outside of London in order to claim travel expenses—guilty of false...

UK's Ex-Chief Justice Rips Into Iraq Invasion

Jason Farago — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:36:44 CST

One of Britain's most respected judges struck out last night against the invasion of Iraq, which he declared illegal and worthy of a "world vigilante." Thomas Bingham, who held the UK's equivalent post to chief justice, used his first speech since retirement to decry "a serious violation of international law...

House of Lords Fishes Where the Fish Are: YouTube

Jonas Oransky — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:46:02 CDT

The House of Lords is vaulting into the 21st century, hosting a YouTube channel dedicated to dispelling its upper-crust image. The appointed branch of Parliament rolled out several videos today, full of legislators explaining to clueless young people how the system works, the AP reports. "We hope that they will...

Separated at Birth, Twins Marry

Jonas Oransky — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:35:00 CST

A British court has annulled the marriage of a couple who learned they were twins separated at birth, the Telegraph reports. Their identities and the specifics of their romance remain secret, but a member of the House of Lords who have access to the details said the siblings had felt...

Press Baron Stays Out of Prison

Colleen Barry — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 05:27:17 CDT

Press baron Conrad Black will remain free on $21-million in bail until his sentencing for three counts of fraud and one of obstructing justice. Prosecutors fear that if he's out on bail he'll flee to Canada because he's facing 30 years in prison, he's rich, and he hasn't shown respect...

BP Chief Resigns Over Lies On Gay Lover

Greg Atwan — Tue, 01 May 2007 21:59:24 CDT

The chief executive of U.K. energy giant BP stepped down unexpectedly today, after a court ruled he had lied about details of his relationship with a 27-year-old man, and the House of Lords decided he couldn't keep a tabloid from printing them. Lord Browne of Madingley lavished the student...

British Peers Could Lose Their Perch

Sophie Goldstein — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 11:26:28 CST

British peers took it on the chin last night as their confrères in the House of Commons voted to make the House of Lords 100 percent elected, ending the rights of title-holders to inherit their seats. If a larger reform plan passes, the Lords could find elected members in their...