Lib Dem group leader nominated for life peerage

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Sheffield City Council has said he was "elated" to be nominated for a life peerage in the House of Lords.

Shaffaq Mohammed was one of two Liberal Democrats to be chosen, along with 30 Labour and six Conservative nominations.

The councillor said he first heard the news while he was out leafletting in the Woodhouse area of Sheffield.

"I'll always care about opportunities for our young people, gender equality and environment, and I'm hoping I'll now be able to talk about these on a national stage and still remember Sheffield, where I'm from," he said.

Mr Mohammed first became a councillor in Sheffield in 2004, and has been the Ecclesall ward councillor since 2016.

He also served as a Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire from 2019 to 2020.

Mr Mohammed said: "Whether it's Rustlings Road trees in Ecclesall or tackling climate change on the world stage, I'll still be the same Shaffaq that everyone's known."

Members of the House of Lords scrutinise the work of government and recommend changes to proposed legislation.

Unlike MPs, peers are not elected, with many having worked in politics, while others are experts in areas such as science or the arts.

Life peers automatically hold their position for a lifetime, but can choose to retire.

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