This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7151730.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brown backs peerage rule change Brown backs peerage rule change
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown says he wants to remove from the prime minister the final say over who gets awarded peerages.Gordon Brown says he wants to remove from the prime minister the final say over who gets awarded peerages.
Mr Brown told reporters at 10 Downing Street that the final decision should instead be taken by an independent appointments commission.Mr Brown told reporters at 10 Downing Street that the final decision should instead be taken by an independent appointments commission.
At the moment the commission can advise on nominees but PMs have the final say.At the moment the commission can advise on nominees but PMs have the final say.
Mr Brown, speaking after MPs called for curbs to political control over Lords appointments, also urged "probity and national interest" checks on nominees.Mr Brown, speaking after MPs called for curbs to political control over Lords appointments, also urged "probity and national interest" checks on nominees.
'Clearly independent'
A report by the Commons public administration committee says parties are not trusted to appoint new peers on merit.
There should be explicit criteria for membership of the House of Lords and parties should submit a "long list" of nominations, with explanations of why they deserve a seat, it adds.
New peers could then be picked by a "clearly independent body" from the lists, the report adds.
This follows the long-running cash-for-honours inquiry - into allegations that honours had been sold for party donations - which resulted in no prosecutions.
The committee's chairman, Labour MP Tony Wright, said this had "not diminished the damage that has been done to trust in public life".