Thomas Taylor, Baron Taylor of Blackburn

Thomas Taylor, Baron Taylor of Blackburn CBE (born 10 June 1929) is a former Labour member of the House of Lords. He is notable for being one of the first peers suspended from the House of Lords since the 17th century.

Biography

Taylor became a member of Blackburn Town Council in 1954 and was its Leader from 1972–76.[1]

Taylor was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1969 Birthday Honours,[2] and promoted to a Commander (CBE) in the 1974 Birthday Honours.[3] He was created a Life Peer on 4 May 1978 taking the title Baron Taylor of Blackburn, of Blackburn in the County of Lancashire.[4]

From 1977-80 he was Chairman of the Electricity Consultative Council for the North West and a member of the Board of Norweb; He served on various governmental bodies connected with Education and the North East Region. He became National President of the Education Authorities of the United Kingdom.[5]

In 1977 he was Chairman of a Government Committee of Enquiry into Management and Government of Schools, and later he was the author of the Taylor Report on problems in universities.[1]

He was a founder member of the Council of the University of Lancaster and served as Deputy Pro-Chancellor, 1972–95.[1]

He was listed in Who's Who 2009 as a Non-executive Director of Drax Power Ltd. and A Division Holdings, a Consultant to BAE Systems plc; Initial Electronic Security Systems Ltd; and an adviser to Electronic Data Systems Ltd; AES Electric Ltd; United Utilities plc; Experian and Capgemini UK plc.[5] On 29-Jan-2009 Experian agreed with Lord Taylor that he would retire as an adviser to them[6] However, by 30 Jan 2009 he was an Adviser to NPL Estates, Alcatel-Lucent, Canatxx Energy Ventures Limited, BT plc, Gersphere UK and T-Systems, and a Non-executive Director only of A Division Holdings [7]

He is President or patron of various organisations and holds an Hon. LLD from the University of Lancaster, 1996. He's a JP Blackburn, 1960 and former Chairman of the Juvenile Bench. He is a Freeman of Blackburn and of the City of London.[8]

The 'Cash for Influence' scandal

In late-January 2009 Lord Taylor was one of 4 Labour peers of the realm accused of 'sleaze' by the Sunday Times - it was alleged by the Sunday Times that Taylor proclaimed to two journalists posing as lobbyists that he was ready, willing and able to help a business secure favourable legislation in their sphere of interest in return for a fee.[9]

Taylor was duped, and his behaviour exposed, by the reporter's 'sting' operation. On 20 May the House of Lords considered the report of its Privileges Committee[10] and voted to suspend Lord Taylor and Lord Truscott for six months, the first such action since the 17th century.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Taylor of Blackburn, Baron". Who's Who. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 44863. p. 5973. 14 June 1969.
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 46310. p. 6801. 15 June 1974.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 47529. p. 5481. 9 May 1978.
  5. 1 2 "A Division - Our Chairman". A Division Group. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  6. ↑ Peer at centre of 'cash for legislation' inquiry removed from credit check firm's payroll The Guardian 30-Jan-2009
  7. ↑ Register of Members Interests House of Lords accessed 30-Jan-09
  8. ↑ "Sleaze row peer claims £400,000 just in expenses". Associated Newspapers. 09-01-27. Retrieved 2009-01-27. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ↑ Whispered over tea and cake: price for a peer to fix the law, Sunday Times, 25 January 2009
  10. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldselect/ldprivi/88/8802.htm
  11. ↑ Lords vote to suspend two peers BBC News

External links

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