SINCE swapping Auckland Castle for Lambeth Palace, he has raised eyebrows by criticising benefit cuts and warning that Britain is trapped in a depression.

Now the new Archbishop of Canterbury is poised to break new ground – by toasting the arrival of a County Durham beer at the House of Commons next week.

Earlier this year, the Black Paw Brewery, in Bishop Auckland, whipped up Archbishop’s Ale - a ruby bitter to match the rich colours of the Archbishop’s gowns.

Now the beer will become the guest ale in the famous Strangers’ Bar at the House of Commons, the favourite watering hole of generations of MPs.

And the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who was previously Bishop of Durham, has apparently agreed to test that the beer has settled nicely after the long journey south.

The Archbishop has told Phil Whitfield, of Black Paw Brewery, that he was able to play a behind-the-scenes role in getting the ale on tap.

The pair bonded after the future Archbishop opened the Black Paw, back in June last year – and will meet up again, on Tuesday.