Retirement
Howard announced on 17 March 2006 that he would stand down as MP for Folkestone and Hythe at the 2010 election. On 13 July 2006 the Conservatives selected Damian Collins to stand in his place at that election.
On 19 June 2006 the International Herald Tribune reported that Michael Howard would become chairman of Diligence Europe, a private intelligence and risk assessment company founded by former CIA and MI5 members.
On 23 October 2006, Michael Howard revealed that he had voluntarily been questioned as a potential witness concerning the Cash for Peerages investigation surrounding fundraising and the 2005 election campaign. He was not suspected of any criminal activity, was not accused of any criminal activity and gave evidence purely as a witness in an investigation focusing primarily on the Labour Government's use of the peerages system and their party fundraising.
On 22 February 2007, Howard became an Honorary Patron of the University Philosophical Society.
On 28 May 2010, it was announced in the Dissolution Honours List that Michael Howard would be ennobled and become a Conservative life peer in the House of Lords. His title was gazetted in the afternoon of 13 July 2010 as Baron Howard of Lympne, of Lympne in the County of Kent. He was formally introduced into the House of Lords on 20 July 2010 at 2:20pm, and attended Questions and debate later that day. He was introduced to the Chamber by past colleague Lord Lamont of Lerwick.
In 2010, it was announced David Cameron wanted Howard to join his Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, possibly as Lord Chancellor, via the House of Lords as part of David Cameron's appeal to rightwing Tories. However, it did not happen, although it is rumoured he may join the cabinet soon. Lord Howard has, nonetheless, been critical of the government's proposal for a 'rehabilitation revolution'. In February 2011, there was increased speculation that David Cameron would reshuffle his cabinet, and prominent Conservative MPs have said that Lord Howard is very likely to replace Kenneth Clarke as Secretary of State for Justice in the next reshuffle.
He was made a Companion of Honour in the 2011 Birthday Honours.
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