FORMER MP Phil Willis has revealed his new title after being made a Lord – he is Baron Willis of Knaresborough, of Harrogate in the County of North Yorkshire.

The Liberal Democrat, 68, who will generally be known as Lord Willis of Knaresborough, told today of the complicated and confusing process he went through before settling on the name.

The retired headteacher, who lives at Rufforth, near York, and who represented Harrogate and Knaresborough for 13 years until he retired at the General Election, said he had had to rule out Harewood Whin, Elland Road and Nidd Vale.

Harewood Whin is the site of York’s super-rubbish tip near Rufforth, which he fought for ten years in the 1980s and 90s, cutting his political teeth in the process. “Perhaps being named after a refuse tip was not quite what the Queen had in mind!” he said.

“I also dismissed rather more provocative titles such as ‘Baron of Elland Road’ in recognition of my love for Leeds United – though quite what Ken Bates would have said I dread to think.”

Nidd Vale was also out because, as the name is that of local independent car dealership, its use might have been misconstrued. The ex-MP said he decided his title had somehow to reflect Harrogate and Knaresborough where he had been MP and previously leader of the borough council.

He went to meet ‘Garter King of Arms,’ Thomas Woodcock, who agrees titles, at the College of Arms near St Paul’s Cathedral to begin some hard bargaining, and Baron Willis of Knaresborough, of Harrogate in the County of North Yorkshire was suggested. Lord Willis said the title Baron of Knaresborough appeared a perfect outcome, although he wondered if King John would have approved. He will be given an ermine robe and swear his allegiance to the Queen at a ceremony in the House of Lords on Wednesday, July 7.