The future of the House of Lords is under review

Mr Brown told reporters at 10 Downing Street that the final decision should instead be taken by an independent appointments commission.

At the moment the commission can advise on nominees but PMs have the final say.

Mr Brown, speaking after MPs called for curbs to political control over Lords appointments, also urged "probity and national interest" checks on nominees.

'Clearly independent'

A report by the Commons public administration committee says parties are not trusted to appoint new peers on merit.

There should be explicit criteria for membership of the House of Lords and parties should submit a "long list" of nominations, with explanations of why they deserve a seat, it adds.

New peers could then be picked by a "clearly independent body" from the lists, the report adds.

This follows the long-running cash-for-honours inquiry - into allegations that honours had been sold for party donations - which resulted in no prosecutions.