My sweet Lord; TV SUGAR MADE PEER AMID FURY.

Byline: BOB ROBERTS

SIR Alan Sugar takes his seat in the House of Lords yesterday - and becomes Baron Sugar of Clapton.

The Apprentice tycoon, in traditional red robes and ermine, was led in by Parliamentary official Black Rod.

However, when he shook hands with Lord Speaker Baroness Hayman at the end of the brief ceremony, the usual cheer of support was muted as opposition peers stayed silent.

Tories are furious he was made Government enterprise tsar last month despite his BBC role meaning he should remain politically unbiased.

Lord Sugar, 62, insists he is "politically neutral" and his role is merely advisory.

As he was introduced to the Lords, he was flanked by business minister Lady Vadera and trade minister Lord Davies.

When he returned to the House 10 minutes after his introduction ceremony he sat on the Labour benches behind Government ministers.

STRONGER

Lord Sugar is likely to draw further flak from Tories for choosing two ministers as his supporters.

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson refused to rule out a return to the Commons amid speculation he may fancy becoming Labour leader.

Constitutional reforms unveiled by Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday will allow life peers to quit the Lords.

Lord Mandelson, who stepped down as an MP in 2004 for a Brussels post, would only say a Commons comeback was "not on my mind".

He added: "I'm focused on my day job, to continue the drive to invest and build a stronger Britain." Not having an MP's seat may scupper any hopes he may have of making it to No.10.

The bill unveiled yesterday also brings in new powers allowing bent peers to be permanently kicked out of the Lords.

Earlier this year, Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn could only be suspended after allegedly taking cash in return for offering to try to change the law.

Lord Archer kept his seat despite his four-year jail term for perjury and perverting justice.

The new measures also phase out the 90 remaining hereditary peers.

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PEERS PRESSURE Lord Sugar faced muted welcome from some opposition members of the House yesterday YOU'RE HIRED TV tycoon takes seat in Lords yesterday