Sir Alan Sugar takes seat in Lords

Sir Alan Sugar has taken up his seat in the House Of Lords as Baron Sugar of Clapton.

The businessman and Apprentice star was ennobled by Prime Minister Gordon Brown last month, and has been given a role as enterprise tsar in the government. His new job will involve giving advice to firms struggling through the recession.

Sugar was introduced to the Lords today by business minister Lady Vadera and trade minister Lord Davies.

The reality TV star's appointment has proved controversial with Conservative MPs, who argued that Sugar should be forced to stand down from his BBC job. They have claimed that his appearances on The Apprentice, which could air next year at the same time as the general election, contradict the broadcaster's rules on impartiality and independence.

However, the multi-millionaire has insisted that his job is non-political and said that he would be returning for the 2010 series of the reality show.