Browne takes seat in Lords
0 Comments | Herald, The; Glasgow (UK), Jul 28, 2010
FORMER Scottish secretary Des Browne has taken his seat in the House of Lords as a Labour peer.
Lord Browne of Ladyton held various ministerial posts, including defence secretary and chief secretary to the Treasury, during his 13 years as an MP.
He represented Kilmarnock and Loudoun from 1997 until he stood down at the 2010 General Election.
Lord Browne, 58, was one of two Labour peers taking their seats, the other being Sir Jeremy Beecham, who was the first chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Lord Beecham, a member of Newcastle City Council since 1967, chaired the LGA from 1995 to 2004.
The two peers were on a list of 56 new members of the Upper House announced in one batch after the General Election.
They both wore ermine robes, as is traditional, while taking part in short ceremonies of introduction.