​Michael Forsyth elected as new House of Lords speaker

Former Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth has been announced as the new speaker of the House of Lords.

The Tory peer will act as Lord Speaker from the beginning of February, taking over as another former Scottish MP, John McFall, steps down.

Forsyth, who spent 14 years in the Commons, led the Scotland Office in John Major’s government from 1995-97 and joined the Lords two years later.

The current chair of the Association of Conservative Peers – the Lords’ equivalent of the 1922 committee – the Montrose-born politician will relinquish his business and outside interests to take up the new post.

Forsyth, known as Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, secured a majority of 86 in a vote by peers, defeating rival Baroness Bull with 56 per cent of support.

He said: “I would like to thank all my supporters for the trust and confidence they have shown in me. I am grateful too to my opponent Baroness Bull who ran a vigorous, courteous, and friendly campaign.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Lord McFall the outgoing Lord Speaker. He has made great strides in improving the governance of the house and the accountability of the administration to members. I intend to build on that work as chair of the House of Lords Commission and Lord Speaker.”

Forsyth was knighted in 1997, having joined the Privy Council in 1995.

He served on Westminster City Council in the late 1970s before becoming MP for Stirling in 1983.

McFall, known as Baron McFall of Alcluith, was a Labour MP, representing Dumbarton and then West Dunbartonshire from 1987 to 2010.

Last last year the former teacher announced his intention to step down from his role early to support his wife Joan, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.