RUTH Davidson has officially taken her seat in the House of Lords after being sworn in as Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links.
The former Scottish Tory leader was told by the SNP to “hang her head in shame” as she donned ermine robes and pledged allegiance to the Queen in the traditional Westminster ceremony.
Davidson took the name of her title from the coastal village in Fife where she grew up.
She was introduced by former Scottish Tory director, Lord Mark McInnes and former chairman, Lord Keen.
During the Lords ceremony, Davidson said: “I Ruth, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links, do swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God.”
She then completed the swearing in ceremony by signing the Test Roll.
READ MORE: Five things Baroness Davidson would rather Scots forget as she takes Lords seat
An SNP spokesperson commented: "The ex-leader once responsible for a Scottish Tory operation to keep Boris Johnson out of Downing Street has now completely sold out, bought off by the Prime Minister's gift of a lucrative lifetime seat in the Lords.
"The Baroness has been talking a good game about being independently-minded and outspoken from the red benches but no one believes it, she is simply trying to justify her actions.
"For her own financial gain she is perpetuating an archaic and undemocratic system where she will sit cheek-by-jowl with multi-millionaires who have gifted fortunes to the Tories and are rewarded in turn with the ability to impose laws on the people of this country without ever being elected.
"The Lords should be scrapped and Baroness Davidson should hang her head in shame for participating in such a democratic outrage."
Davidson, who served as an MSP from 2011 to 2021 and stood down as leader in August 2019, is the fifth former Scottish leader to be appointed to the Lords.
She said her role will involve "making sure all UK-wide laws are fit for purpose" and said her areas of particular interest include gambling reform, end of life choices, and "reforming the House of Lords into a democratic chamber".
The Tory added: "This is important work and it's vital that it is undertaken by a mix of people from all backgrounds and all parts of the country.
"As a teenage modern studies pupil, learning about politics at Buckhaven High School, I didn't believe that someone like me could ever have the chance to serve in not one, but two parliaments.
"I hope to take all of the experience I've gained over the last decade in Holyrood and put it to good use in my new role."
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