Lord Paul Boateng CVO, PC, DL*
(born Paul Yaw Boateng: 14 June 1951)
Paul Boateng is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for
Brent South from 1987 to 2005. He became the UK's first Black Cabinet Minister in May 2002,
when he was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Following his departure from the
House of Commons, he served as the British High Commissioner to South Africa from March 2005
to May 2009. He was introduced as a member of the House of Lords on 1 July 2010.
In 2001, Boateng was made Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and was promoted to the
position of Chief Secretary to the Treasury in May 2002, becoming Britain's first black
cabinet minister. His appointment was greeted with praise by civil rights activists who said that his
appointment gave hope to young black youths and would inspire them to become involved in
politics. Boateng is an active Methodist and is a lay preacher.
*CVO: Commander, Royal Victorian Order
PC: His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council
DL: Deputy Lieutenant