Usher of the Black Rod

United Kingdom Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod
Incumbent Lt Gen David Leakey CMG CBE since 1 February 2011
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Reports to	Clerk of the Parliaments
Appointer	The Crown (de jure) Clerk of the Parliaments (de facto)
Formation	1350
First holder	Walter Whitehorse (known)
Deputy	Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod
Website	Parliamentary information page

The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of several Commonwealth countries. The position originates in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom, Black Rod is responsible for maintaining the buildings, services, and security of the Palace of Westminster.

The office was created in 1350 by royal letters patent, though the current title dates from 1522. The position was adopted by other members of the Commonwealth when they adopted the British Westminster system. The title is derived from the staff of office, an ebony staff topped with a golden lion, which is the main symbol of the office's authority.

Black Rod is formally appointed by the Crown based on a recruitment search performed by the Clerk of the Parliaments, to whom he reports. Prior to 2002 the office rotated among retired senior officers from the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. It is now advertised openly. Black Rod is an officer of the English Order of the Garter, and is usually appointed Knight Bachelor if not already knighted. His deputy is the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod.

He is responsible, as the representative of the Administration and Works Committee, for maintaining the buildings and services of the Palace of Westminster. Previous responsibilities for security have been passed to the Parliamentary Security Director. Black Rod's official duties also include responsibility as the usher and doorkeeper at meetings of the Most Noble Order of the Garter; the personal attendant of the Sovereign in the Lords; as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain and as the Serjeant-at-Arms and Keeper of the Doors of the House, in charge of the admission of strangers to the House of Lords. Either Black Rod or his deputy, the Yeoman Usher, is required to be present when the House of Lords, the upper house of Parliament, is in session, and plays a role in the introduction of all new Lords Temporal in the House (but not of bishops as new Lords Spiritual). Black Rod also arrests any Lord guilty of breach of privilege or other Parliamentary offence, such as contempt or disorder, or the disturbance of the House's proceedings. His equivalent in the House of Commons is the Serjeant at Arms.