// n December 2020, it was announced he would be conferred a Life Peerage after a nomination by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, despite the contrary advice of the House of Lords Appointments Commission, which unanimously recommended that the Prime Minister rescind his nomination. It was later reported that he donated £500,000 to the Conservative Party days after being elevated to the House of Lords. //
He previously was forced to resign as Conservative Party treasurer, after a cash for access scandal.