Tory former health secretary Andrew Lansley has taken his seat in the House of Lords.

Lord Lansley pushed controversial reforms of the NHS through Parliament in the coalition years before becoming leader of the Commons.

The ex-South Cambridgeshire MP was flanked by supporters Lord Dobbs and Lord Ribeiro as he swore the oath of allegiance to the Queen in a short introduction ceremony.

He is one of 45 new peers whose appointments were announced by David Cameron in August.

Over half the new intake are Conservatives prompting accusations of "cronyism" from critics of the appointment process and sparking fresh demands for reform of the Upper House.

Baroness Sheehan, a leading Liberal Democrat campaigner, has also taken her seat in the Lords. She was flanked by supporters Baroness Kramer and Baroness Barker for the introduction ceremony.