Open the door! First female Black Rod confirms she's ...
Sarah Clarke - the first female Black Rod in role's 670-year history - will leave Parliament in the summer after almost eight years in post. ITV National News
www.itv.comI can’t access live sources directly in this turn, but here’s the latest context I can share:
- Ed Davis has been confirmed as the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, taking over the role in July 2025 in succession to Sarah Clarke. This makes him the current Black Rod as of mid-2025 onward. This appointment aligns with the House of Lords’ practice of naming a new Black Rod when a vacancy occurs.[1][2][4]
- The Black Rod’s duties include maintaining order in the Lords, overseeing ceremonial events, and playing a central role in the State Opening of Parliament, notably by summoning MPs from the Commons to the Lords and delivering the royal commands. The iconic three-knocks ceremony at the Commons’ door is a long-standing tradition associated with the role.[2][4]
- For broader background, Britannica notes Black Rod as the senior House of Lords official with ceremonial and order-maintenance responsibilities, while Wikipedia confirms the ongoing practice of Him/her carrying out those duties and the significance of the State Opening ritual.[4][5]
If you’d like, I can pull in the most recent official House of Lords press releases or BBC summaries to confirm any specific events or statements about Ed Davis’ tenure and current activities.