"No-ermine ermine" for animal rights champion
Next Monday sees the introduction of a new Liberal Democrat peer Kate Parminter. But her elevation to the Lords could potentially have presented big problems for Lady Parminter, since it would be hardly right for a former officer of the RSPCA, and leading campaigner against animal cruelty, to take the ermine - or stoat fur.
However I'm told that when Parminter went to see the Garter Principal Kings of Arms recently to discuss her introductioin to the upper house, she was assured that Ede and Ravenscroft, who supply the garments for such occasions, would be able to save her from embarrassment.
Apparently, for conscientious objectors Ede and Ravenscroft have a special "non-ermine ermine".
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on 
Comment number 1.
At 17:36 14th Jul 2010, jauntycyclist wrote:but being unelected and voting on laws is a fine method for 'human society'? Even the afghans don't have that oppression. Why are the British people treated like slaves by the establishment system?
how easily people are bought.
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Comment number 2.
At 20:19 14th Jul 2010, DebtJuggler wrote:I hope she's good at standing up for long periods of time....for surely, she would object to parking her derriere on the green leather...if she was a real animal rights champion!
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Comment number 3.
At 09:07 15th Jul 2010, JunkkMale wrote:I have a dream of a Lords free of freelorders lording it over the running of things that are imposed on me and for which I am held accountable, based on no qualification other than patronage.
It's 2010, and all we seem to have arrived at is ever better ways to spin the polishing of certain... wastes.
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Comment number 4.
At 10:40 15th Jul 2010, JunkkMale wrote:Also a little perturbed by the mindset, rarely challenged, that a folksy patois is enough to make the leap to being, at last, a true representative of 'common people' that 'we' have all been gasping for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgXzPfAxjo
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Comment number 5.
At 11:58 15th Jul 2010, stevie wrote:do they serve pies in the upper chamber..? Hope so as someone will clear them out first day...
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Comment number 6.
At 08:36 17th Jul 2010, Isatou wrote:Stevie,
Very funny ! Now who could you be referring to ? Not a certain Labour hypocrite , surely ?
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