Hereditary peers make last-ditch plea to be spared in ‘ruthless purge’ of Lords

The ousting of hereditary peers has been promoted as the first step in a process of reform (PA/Henry Nicholls) - (PA Archive)

Aristocrats sitting in the House of Lords have spoken of the “deep” personal offence they feel at the Government move to boot them out and have pleaded for a late reprieve against “the ruthless and unnecessary purge”.

Hereditary peers complained they were being treated like “discarded rubbish” and questioned what they had done to be “shown the door in such a way”.