Brian Mackenzie, Baron Mackenzie of Framwellgate

Brian Mackenzie, Baron Mackenzie of Framwellgate, OBE (born 1943) is a British Labour member of the House of Lords and a former President of the Police Superindendents Association.

Biography

Mackenzie was born in Darlington and educated at Eastbourne Boys School, and after joining the police studied Law at the University of London.

Police career

He rose through the ranks of the police service, becoming a Superintendent upon secondment to the Home Office and later becoming Chief Superintendent in the Durham Constabulary. A graduate of the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia, he was active in the Police Superintendents' Association and was its President for three years. He was a special adviser on policing issues to the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, from 1997 to 2001. He describes his proudest achievement as his instigation of the idea of a register of sex offenders.

He held the historical and honorary appointment of Billet Master of the City of Durham between 1989 and 2003. He was made an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street in 2001.

Mackenzie was appointed OBE in the 1998 New Years Honours for services to the Police Service and the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales.

Politics

In 1998, Mackenzie was raised to the Peerage as Baron Mackenzie of Framwellgate, of Durham in the County of Durham. In the House of Lords, Mackenzie has been most active in speaking on issues relating to crime and policing. Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate recently defended himself against criticism for claiming more attendance expenses than any other peer with reference for the 2004-2005 session citing his 100% attendance rate and the travel costs associated with travelling between Durham and London.

Personal life

Separated and currently being sued for divorce by his wife of 43 years, he is at present living with Debbie Glaister in a flat in Durham. In March 2003, while chairman of the Lords Home Affairs Committee and having spoken out against prostitution and drugs, he was forced to apologise to the House after a newspaper published claims that he had sex with an Algerian prostitute who worked as a barmaid in the House of Commons - Mackenzie denied having sex with the girl, but accepted he had brought the House in disrepute. [citeweb|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1046022/Wifes-fury-Labour-lord-stick-Barbie-doll-set-home-together.html|title=Wife's fury as Labour lord and a 'stick thin Barbie doll' set up home together|publisher=Daily Mail|date=2008-08-17|accessdate=2008-08-18]

References

External links

* [http://www.lordmackenzie.com/ Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate's web site.]
* [http://www.durhamlabour.org.uk/dclp/lords.htm Durham City Labour Party on Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate's political activities.]
* [http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/sundaysun/thebiginterview/tm_objectid=15856400&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=peer-with-a-lot-in-common-name_page.html Sunday Sun interview with Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate 14/08/2005]
* [http://www.chester-le-streetrotary.co.uk/promrot.html#lord%20brian%20mackenzie Chester-le-Street Rotary Club biography of Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate]
* [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/minutes/980720/ldminute.htm Announcement of his introduction at the House of Lords] House of Lords minutes of proceedings, 20 July 1998