Controversial climate change sceptic Christopher Monckton has been warned by the House of Lords not to misrepresent himself as a member of the upper house of the UK Parliament in the wake of an Australian radio stoush.
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Mr Monckton was chastised through an open letter published on the UK Parliament's website that requested he "desist from claiming to be a Member of the House of Lords".
The letter cites a recent interview with the ABC's Adam Spencer, during which Mr Monckton told him: "I am a Member of the House" but "without the right to sit or vote".
The radio interview became heated with Mr Monckton telling Mr Spencer to "shut up". The radio host at one stage hung up on his guest.
The letter was written by Clerk of the Parliaments David Beamish, who said his predecessor had written to Mr Monckton twice last year with a similar request.
Mr Beamish said while Mr Monckton, who is a Viscount, was a peer, that was not the same thing as being a member of the House of Lords.
He said he had published the letter on the internet to ensure that anyone wanting to check Mr Monckton's credentials could do so.
Mr Monckton today debated with the Australia Institute's executive director, economist Richard Denniss, at the National Press Club.
