Gore honoured by MPs and peers

MPs and peers have named former US vice president Al Gore as their international statesman of the year.

Gore was given the honour at the annual House Magazine awards in Westminster last night, the only political awards decided by parliamentarians.

The tribute was in recognition of his post-White House work on the environment through his film 'An inconvenient truth' and being the driving force behind the recent Live Earth concerts.

Other big winners on the night included new environment secretary Hillary Benn, who was presented with the minister of the year award for his previous work on international development.

Opposition politician of the year was DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley, who helped secure a Northern Ireland devolution deal and took up the post of first minister.

Peer of the year was crossbencher and former chief inspector of prisons Lord Ramsbotham for his efforts to amend the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill.

The Commons backbencher of the year title went to Labour's North West Leicestershire MP David Taylor, a regular thorn in the side of ministers.

Meanwhile the Lords merits of statutory instruments committee was named select committee of the year and the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson won the commentator of the year award.

The annual House Magazine Parliamentary Award recognising lifetime achievements went to former foreign secretary, chancellor and leader of the House Lord Howe of Aberavon.

Shortlists were selected by members of the cross-party House Magazine editorial board, drawn from nominations made by readers, with the winners decided by a ballot of MPs and peers.