Anger as Labour's 'petty vandals' strip Black Rod of half his powers

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The current holder of the 658-year-old post, Lieutenant General Sir Michael Willcocks, is being forced to quit the job two years earlier than expected – and his successor will have only half his powers.

The job will still include ceremonial responsibilities, but day-to-day running of the Lords' offices will be switched to a corporate-style "director general of facilities".

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'Revenge'?: Sir Michael Willcocks is being forced to quit early

The decision has led to a behind-the-scenes battle – with claims it is revenge for Sir Michael's row with Tony Blair over the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002.

Mr Blair made an official complaint after The Mail on Sunday revealed he tried to steal the limelight at the Queen Mother's lying-in-state.

He was forced to climb down after Black Rod said the story was true.

The new move has been pushed through by Labour's Lords Leader, Baroness Ashton, backed by the Lords Speaker, former Labour MP Helene Hayman, and Chief Whip Baroness Jan Royal, a former aide to Neil Kinnock.

According to one source, Baroness Ashton told a meeting: "Our people do not like Black Rod."

Her spokesman said the claim was untrue and insisted: "She has a high regard for Black Rod."

Sir Michael had intended to stay in his job until 2011 to finish a £65million scheme for new offices for peers in Westminster. But Labour rejected the move.

The new director general will have the same status as Black Rod and will oversee the new office programme.

At one point, an attempt was made to throw Black Rod off the Lords' ruling management board, which would have reduced him to the status of a junior administrator.

The move has sparked a peers' rebellion. One veteran Labour Lord said: "It is petty parliamentary vandalism by people who resent the fact that Black Rod refused to buckle when No10 tried to conceal Blair's attempt to steal the show at the Queen Mother's funeral."

A Conservative peer said: "Labour have no respect for tradition and want to turn the Lords into little more than a county council."

The post of Black Rod was created in 1350. He is responsible for security at the Lords and the State Opening of Parliament, when he bangs on the Commons door three times with his mace to summon MPs to hear the Queen's Speech.