David Cameron faces cronyism claims over Tory peerages

David Cameron is preparing to brave accusations of cronyism by announcing a string of peerages for Tory advisers and donors.

The Prime Minister is expected to send his 'gatekeeper' Kate Fall to the House of Lords as part of the dissolution honours list.

Others mooted for elevation to the chamber include former Downing Street policy director James O'Shaughnessy, and Philippa Stroud, an ex-special adviser to Iain Duncan Smith.

They are likely to be among dozens of new peers, mostly Conservatives, unveiled alongside a list of other honours.

However, according to the Daily Telegraph seven nominations have been blocked by Whitehall's appointments committee because they were deemed unsuitable.

Former Lib Dem ministers Vince Cable and Danny Alexander, who both lost their seats at the general election, are thought to have turned down the chance to enter the Lords.

Mr Cameron has said there is "no point" reviving coalition efforts to reform the House of Lords, which stalled acrimoniously following a massive Tory backbench rebellion.

Instead the premier has suggested he wants to "make sure the House of Lords more accurately reflects the situation in the House of Commons".

The Conservatives currently have the most peers - nearly 230 - but are a long way from a majority. According to the Electoral Commission, Mr Cameron would have to appoint 723 more members to reproduce the balance of MPs.