Sir Sadiq Khan has been given a seat in the House of Lords after being handed a peerage in a parting gift from Sir Keir Starmer. The long-term Labour Mayor of London is among a list of 26 new members for the Lords issued by Downing Street as the Prime Minister prepares to leave Number 10.

He is set to take his seat on the red benches alongside former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald and retired senior judge Sir Brian Leveson. The move could potentially pave the way for Sir Sadiq to join Andy Burnham’s cabinet, with the ‘King of the North’ due to become PM on Monday. So what do you think? Is Keir Starmer right to give Sadiq Khan a seat in the House of Lords? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section.

Sir Sadiq has long been touted for a seat in the House of Lords and has reportedly worked closely over the years with the incoming Prime Minister.

However, it’s understood Sir Sadiq is not seeking a ministerial role in Mr Burnham’s new administration.

It also believed he has not yet decided whether he will stand again for the mayoralty, which he has held since 2016.

The London Mayor, who is a long-time ally of Sir Keir, will at least initially combine his parliamentary role with his regional one.

Sir Sadiq is among 16 new political appointments made by Sir Keir who is leaving Number 10 after a bumpy two-year premiership.

Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey made five nominations, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch made three.

Sir Chris Wormald, a career civil servant who Sir Keir was accused of scapegoating after he was effectively forced out of his job during the Mandelson vetting scandal, will sit as a crossbench peer along with Sir Brian Leveson.

It is believed the PM recommended the former cabinet secretary directly for a place in the Lords.

Other nominations from the outgoing Labour leader include broadcaster and former Loose Women panelist June Sarpong and former Unison general secretary Christina McAnea.