Good lord, he's back (From The Northern Echo)

Peer ends his 3,000-mile walk from Athens to London

8:00am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Middlesbrough News By Rob Merrick

HE was 18 minutes late, but given he had walked 3,000 miles and six million steps to get to the House of Lords, no one minded one bit.

Ten months after setting off from Olympia, in Athens, to campaign for an “Olympic truce” to mark the London 2012 Games, Lord Bates was finally back at Parliament to a hero’s welcome.

The former Langbaurgh MP, now the Conservative deputy chairman, braved the Alps and survived a broken arm to get back to Blighty.

Amazingly, he wore out only one pair of boots.

During his epic journey through 15 countries, Lord Bates met Pope Benedict XVI, United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and numerous political leaders.

Most importantly, the peer helped ensure that, when the UK sponsored the UN resolution on the Olympic Truce, last October, it was passed with backing from a record 193 member states.

Yesterday, Lord Bates was greeted by friends and family, a kiss from his mother, a handshake from his father and a rousing chorus of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.

He said: “The point of the ancient Olympic Games was the Truce that transcended the sport.

“In the modern era, much of that ancient ideal has been lost – but the Truce remains.

“It wasn’t very well known before, but it is a little bit better- known now, not just in the UK, but also in the 15 countries that I travelled through.”

Asked about the pain and discomfort from walking 3,000 miles, Lord Bates replied: “I’ve forgotten all about my feet today.

“But I’m only on my second pair of boots – which makes me light on my feet, I suppose.

That’s useful for a politician.”

And joking that his abysmal recent voting record in the Lords would now improve, he added: “My kids think I’m Forrest Gump – and the whips think I’m the prodigal son.”