Attendance Records of Evgeny Lebedev and Ian Botham in the House of Lords

Evgeny Lebedev and Ian Botham, both appointed to the House of Lords by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have recorded the lowest attendance rates among peers, each attending only 1.12% of sessions from 2022 to 2025. This translates to just seven out of 625 sessions during this period. Lebedev, formally known as Baron Lebedev of Hampton and Siberia, has slightly improved his attendance from a previous rate of 1.25% between 2019 and 2022, where he attended four out of 318 sessions.

The Guardian

Lebedev's attendance has been minimal, with only one session attended in 2022 and two in each of the subsequent years (2023, 2024, and 2025). In contrast, Botham, known as Baron Botham of Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, attended two sessions in 2022, one in 2023, and two in both 2024 and 2025. Notably, Botham had shown more initial engagement, attending 26 sessions in 2021, but has not participated in any debates since November 2020 and has not voted since July 2021.

The Guardian

The House of Lords operates differently from the House of Commons, with many peers holding external jobs or specializations that limit their participation. Attendance records do not account for contributions made through committee work, which can be time-consuming; however, neither Lebedev nor Botham has served on any committees. The Lords currently comprises 868 members, with 842 active, making it the largest legislative chamber globally, second only to China's National People's Congress.

The Guardian

The attendance records of Lebedev and Botham have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness and engagement of appointed peers. Critics have pointed to the high rate of appointments made by Johnson, including Lebedev, as indicative of nepotism. Keir Starmer, the current leader of the Labour Party, has created 96 peers, while Johnson appointed 87, further complicating the debate over the Lords' size and functionality.

The Guardian

While specific responses from Lebedev and Botham regarding their attendance have not been documented, the broader context of their appointments and participation has been criticized. The recent legislative changes aimed at reducing hereditary peers have not significantly impacted the overall size of the Lords, as new appointments continue to offset retirements.

The Guardian

• “Similarly, the attendance record does not take into account work on Lords committees, which can take up significant time – though neither Lebedev nor Botham has ever served on one.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

• “Some older members of the Lords also attend very irregularly, although none appear to have done so as consistently as Lebedev and Botham.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

The attendance of Evgeny Lebedev and Ian Botham in the House of Lords highlights ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of the upper chamber and the implications of peer appointments. Their minimal participation raises questions about the responsibilities of appointed members and the overall governance of the House of Lords.

The Guardian