Who Is Brian Paddick, Baron Paddick? Age, Biography and Wiki
Brian Paddick, born on April 24, 1958, is a prominent British politician and former police officer with a storied career spanning several decades. As of 2025, Paddick is 66 years old. He is best known for his tenure as the Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service, where he gained a reputation for his leadership and commitment to community policing. Paddick's political involvement became evident when he served as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London in 2008, and he continues to be an influential figure in British politics.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 24, 1958 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | Balham, London, England |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | England |
Popularity
Brian Paddick, Baron Paddick's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Brian Paddick stands at an approximate height of 6 feet (183 cm). While his exact weight is not publicly disclosed, he maintains a healthy lifestyle that aligns with his active career. His body measurements are not widely available, as he tends to keep his personal life private.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Brian Paddick is reported to be in a relationship with his long-time boyfriend, who remains out of the public eye. Paddick has always been private about his personal relationships, but he has occasionally been open about his life as a gay man in both his professional and personal narratives. As for family, Paddick has been supportive of LGBTQ+ rights and has used his platform to advocate for equality, which is a testament to his values and upbringing.
Since childhood, Paddick has known he was gay, but between 1983 and 1988 he was married to Mary Stone in what he called "a genuine attempt to live as a straight man" – "It's what my faith as a Christian expected of me. It's what my parents expected of me. It's what the police service expected of me. Mary was a very beautiful and charming woman.
It was a genuine attempt to try and deny my sexuality and to 'do the right thing'." According to Paddick, it was "a fairly conventional marriage" and his former wife said it was "a wonderful marriage". She did not know he was gay.
He struggled with his sexuality until towards the end of his marriage in 1988: "I learned the lesson about being yourself before that, and being open about my sexuality was the last piece in the jigsaw.
I wasn't open about my sexuality until I was a commander." A November 2003 profile in The Guardian noted: "Mr Paddick is relaxed enough to laugh at himself and told a gay magazine: 'My last staff officer got promoted and went to royalty protection.
In his leaving card I wrote, "Same job, different Queen".'" Paddick currently lives in Vauxhall, London. He lived there previously with Petter Belsvik, a civil engineer from Oslo, Norway; they met in a bar while on holiday in Ibiza. They married in Oslo, same-sex marriage in Norway being legalised 8 days before, on 9 January 2009.
Belsvik died at the end of February 2023.
Net Worth and Salary
As a respected politician and former police officer, Brian Paddick's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million in 2025. His earnings primarily derive from his salary as a member of the House of Lords and various public speaking engagements. Additionally, Paddick has been involved in consultancy, further diversifying his income streams.
Career, Business and Investments
Brian Paddick's career began in the Metropolitan Police, where he rose through the ranks to become one of the highest-ranking officers. After retiring from the police force, he transitioned into politics, where he has held various positions. His notable campaign for Mayor of London highlighted his work in public safety and community engagement. In addition to his political endeavors, Paddick has consulted for several organizations, sharing his expertise on policing and community relations. His investment interests are not prominently disclosed, but it is known that he advocates for sustainable practices.
However, following the disagreement, Paddick was assigned the position of group director of information management at New Scotland Yard, which he considered a "non-job". He came to accept that his police career was over, and retired from the police force on 31 May 2007.
In November 2007, it was announced that Paddick had been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London in the mayoral elections to be held on 1 May 2008. He came third, behind Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone, winning 9.8 per cent of first preference votes.
Social Network
Brian Paddick remains active on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, where he shares insights on politics, community issues, and LGBTQ+ rights. His Twitter account allows him to connect with constituents and supporters, making it a vital tool for public engagement. He also occasionally appears in interviews and podcasts, cementing his presence in contemporary discussions surrounding policing and public policy.
In late 2002, the Crown Prosecution Service decided that no charges would be brought against him in relation to alleged cannabis possession; in December 2003 Paddick and The Mail on Sunday settled legal proceedings brought by him, with the newspaper accepting that a story it had published was false (which had alleged he had used cannabis), apologising, and paying damages.
Education
Brian Paddick attended the prestigious University of Bristol, where he pursued a degree in sociology. This academic background has informed his approach to policing and community work, as he emphasizes the importance of understanding social dynamics. Furthermore, during his time in the police force, he participated in various training programs, enhancing his abilities as a leader and strategist in community safety and prevention measures.
Paddick returned to New Scotland Yard, first as Superintendent of the Personnel Department in 1996 and then as Chief Superintendent in 1997. He then served as Borough Commander for Merton for two and a half years (1997–1999), responsible for policing Wimbledon, Mitcham and Merton.
After attending the Police Staff College in 2000, in December 2000 he was appointed Police Commander for the London Borough of Lambeth where he worked until 2002, fulfilling his ambition of becoming head of policing in Brixton.
At Lambeth he had direct responsibility for 940 police officers and 230 support staff, and an annual budget of £37 million.
