Lord Lebedev's peerage under spotlight after his lack of contribution to Parliament since maiden speech

Boris Johnson's decision to give a peerage to a man who has not made a single contribution to Parliament is facing renewed criticism after Insider uncovered the minimal contribution he has made to Parliament since joining the House of Lords.

The Russian-born crossbench peer made no written or spoken contributions other than his maiden speech. He has not cast a ballot.

Lebedev only attended the House of Lords three times, on 17th December 2020, 12th May 2021 and 24th November 2021, according to Insider.

The owner of the Independent and Evening Standard narrowly missed the six-monthtrigger point for automatic suspension as a member.

One member of the House of Lords, who was granted anonymity to speak frankly, said that Lord Lebedev made a very good maiden speech since he hasn't been seen again.

He said it was a status symbol. If Lebedev came and did a day's work, he would gain everyone's respect.

Several Conservative figures told Insider that they had reservations about the peerage.

According to two sources, it was flagged by the House of Lords appointments commission because his father was a spy. Johnson overruled the advice after Holac couldn't block appointments.

According to the Guardian, its members have called on Johnson to look into Russian influence in the House of Lords.

Both Holac and the Committee on Standards in Public Life want peerage application letters from party leaders to be made public. This has not been approved yet.

Lebedev is not a Conservative. He and Johnson have links that go back more than a decade, to when the prime minister was Mayor of London and Lebedev was the proprietor of the Standard.

A former Cabinet minister said that it brought the whole thing into disrepute.

The appointment raises questions about the commitment of Johnson's administration to defending the UK against foreign influence.

The great emblem of the Conservative party is the whole in-your-face-ness of it.

As the son of a KGB colonel, one would have thought Lord Lebedev would be full of insights to offer as we debate the nation's Russia. His silence appears almost deafening.

Lord (Dick) Newby, a member of the upper house's procedure and privileges committee, told Insider that every peer has a duty to participate in the work of the lords. If they can't do it, they should take a leave of absence or retire.

Lebedev did not reply to questions.

All individuals nominated for a peerage are done so in recognition of their contribution to society and all peerages are checked by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.