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Sir Alan Sugar's promised peerage could be blocked by anti-sleaze watchdogs, it emerged today.
The Apprentice star's nomination will be subject to scrutiny because he is a Labour donor and has extensive business interests, Lords sources said.
"It's our intention to nominate him for a peerage and that's subject to the approvals process in the House of Lords," said Gordon Brown's spokesman.
Sir Alan is expected to take the Labour whip if his peerage is confirmed. Critics asked why he was given such an honour when he is not going to serve as a minister.
There was also controversy over the appointment of Glenys Kinnock, the wife of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, as new Minister for Europe with a seat in the Lords.
Mrs Kinnock admitted she intends to remain an MEP until next month - prompting Tory claims that she was hanging on to her old £63,291-a-year post to collect a pay-off and pension.
Under European parliament rules she cannot serve a national government while an MEP - and she was being described as an "acting minister".
Downing Street said her appointment had been announced and, therefore, she was a minister.
Reader views (1)
I have seen little of this guy's wretched TV programme. What a bunch of irritating hopefuls. I would not employ any of them.
Now we have another unelected guy employed by this stupid government. He has made most of his fortune out of property, not his business. He won't have anything to do once the Tories take over.
- Michael, Kensington, UK
