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By Ned Simons - 28th October 2010
Black Rod has resigned due to ill health, the leader of the House of Lords has announced.
Speaking this afternoon Lord Strathclyde told peers that Lieutenant-General Sir Freddie Viggers, who has held the post since April 2009, had written to him announcing his decision to step down.
The 59 year old missed the start of the new session of Parliament this year after suffering from multiple strokes and has not been well enough to return to work.
Lord Strathclyde said: "Black Rod, or Freddy as we have come to know him, has continued to make a remarkable recovery."
"The House will respect his decision to resign which I know he made with great reluctance."
But he said it was not the moment for the House to pay tributes, as that would be done upon the appointment of his successor.
"Until the appointment is made the House will be grateful the Yeoman Usher Ted Lloyd-Jukes for continuing as acting Black Rod.
"On behalf of the whole House the Lord Speaker has written to Sir Freddie sending him very best wishes for a continued recovery and to his wife Jane and his family."
Black Rod is responsible for and participates in the major ceremonial events in the Palace of Westminster and has a similar role to the Serjeant at Arms in the House of Commons.
His most famous job is his role in the state opening of Parliament, when he is sent from the House of Lords to the Commons to summon MPs to hear the Queen's Speech.
The door is ceremoniously slammed in his face to demonstrate the independence of MPs from the Monarchy. He then bangs his rod on the door three times and MPs emerge, and follow him back to the Lords to hear the monarch's address.
Black Rod has been subject to good natured jibes during the ceremony from Denis Skinner in recent years, with the Labour MP warning Sir Freddy in 2009 that "royal expenses are on the way".
As well as his ceremonial duties Black Rod is also responsible for security of the House of Lords and organising access to and maintaining order within the Lords Chamber and the precincts. He also overseas the police services and fire safety in the House.
The role was traditionally filled by a retired officer from the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force. But since 2002 the job has been advertised more widely.
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