ESSEX University chancellor Shami Chakrabarti has controversially been given a life peerage on the latest honours list.

Shami, who will be known as Baroness Chakrabarti, has been appointed to the House of Lords for her outstanding contribution to public life and human rights.

After being nominated for the peerage by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, critics say she now faces questions over her independence after she led an investigation in to claims of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party following the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone.

The review found there was evidence of “ignorant attitudes” but said the party is “not overrun by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of racism”.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said her report’s credibility “lies in tatters” after accepting the peerage.

She was appointed as university chancellor in 2014, having been awarded an honourary degree by the university in 2006.

She has longstanding links with the university and has been a supporter of the Human Rights Centre for more than a decade.

University vice-chancellor Prof Anthony Forster said: “Shami is a wonderful role model and inspiration to our staff, students and alumni.

“We are absolutely delighted with the news of Shami’s elevation to the peerage.

“She is a tenacious advocate of civil liberties and human rights, striving to make the world a better place.”