a vocal opponent of Britain's membership of the EEC. Scanlon's political beliefs led to his being effectively blacklisted by the British security service from 1966 to 1977, it emerged years later. In 1977, he was prevented from becoming chairman of British Shipbuilders because MI5 advised that he should not see documents marked "confidential" or above. Two years earlier, he was refused security clearance to join the British Gas Board, but was later appointed after his files were examined. He was elevated to the House of Lords as a Life Peer on 19 February 1979, taking the title Baron Scanlon, of Davyhulme in the County of Greater Manchester. References External links Communist Party of Great Britain members Presidents of the Amalgamated Engineering Union 1913 births 2004 deaths Life peers People from Davyhulme People from Stretford Metropolitan-Vickers people Life peers created by Elizabeth II