Palmer appointed House of Lords deputy speaker

A former chair of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel has been appointed as a deputy speaker of the House of Lords.

Lord Monroe Palmer, who also served as a Barnet councillor and treasurer of his party, will take up the role this month.

Describing the position as a “great honour”, he said: “This new role does not mean that I will be unable to speak on political issues such in support of Israel and matters of concern to the UK Jewish Community. I will continue to be the Liberal Democrats spokesman on Taxation in the upper House.”

Lord Palmer, one of the most consistently vocal supporters of Israel in Parliament, will sit on the Woolsack when The Lord Speaker is not present.