Tony Blair's close confidant Lord Falconer has been sworn in as the last UK's lord chancellor.

The former Home Office minister, who was once the prime minister's flatmate, was officially installed in an eight minute ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday.

In the historic ceremony, he was joined by dozens of the country's top judges as well as the master of the rolls, Lord Phillips of Matravers, and the lord chief justice, Lord Woolf.

The move came on the same day as Tony Blair was challenged by MPs in the Commons over his decision to abolish the post which dates back 1400 years.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton is expected to hold the post for 18 months while a consultation process is held, after which it will be discontinued.

He will continue in the role previously held by Tony Blair's former mentor Lord Irvine, who has been critical of the prime minister's decision.

The job includes leading proceedings in the House of Lords and heading up the Lord Chancellor's Department - which oversees judicial matters - until the government finalises arrangements for the constitutional affairs department.

Whilst it could take up to two years to remove Lord Falconer's judicial functions, his role as speaker in the House of Lords is expected to be transferred to a new presiding officer later this year.

Commenting on the appointment, Lord Woolf said: "We welcome him here today and are delighted he is joined by his family.

"We congratulate our lord chancellor and secretary of state for the Department for Constitutional Affairs."