Former Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu will re-enter the House of Lords after being nominated for a life peerage.

There had been criticism of the government for not automatically allowing him to continue sitting in parliament after he retired from his church role in June.

All of his predecessors were given a peerage right away.

The government said his delay was due to a procedural hold up with the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Dr Sentamu will act as a crossbench, non-party, peer much like former Archbishops of Canterbury Lord Carey and Lord Williams.

Reacting to the announcement, his successor as Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said it was "excellent news".

16 new peers have been named with the Lord Speaker Lord Fowler raising concern over the number now sitting in the House of Lords.

"This list will bring the total in the House of Lords to over 830 - almost 200 more than the House of Commons," he said.

The Lord Speaker said he would not comment on those appointed - apart from to welcome John Sentamu.