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Musicals tycoon Andrew Lloyd-Webber broke his near-silence in the House of Lords to vote for tax credit cuts for Britain's poorest people.

The ultra-rich Tory peer took part in last night's crunch vote during a break from commitments in New York, where his School of Rock musical launches in two weeks.

Previously he had voted just 30 times out of 1,898 during his most recent 14 years in the House of Lords, around 1.6%.

His last was more than two years ago to back gay marriage, according to voting record website The Public Whip.

But last night he trooped through the Lords lobbies with hundreds of other Tories, including a line-up of millionaires, to try and defeat three challenges to George Osborne's cuts.

In a statement the seldom-seen peer defended his choice, but also told the Mirror he was 'pleased' George Osborne is 'reviewing the tax credits situation' in the wake of the defeat.

(Image: David Davies/PA)

A spokesman said: "He voted last night because he feels that it is important for democracy that the House of Lords should not override decisions made by the elected House of Commons.

"While there are important constitutional issues concerning the House of Lords, Andrew is pleased that the Chancellor, George Osborne, is reviewing the tax credits situation."

Labour’s Karl Turner, Shadow Solicitor General, said: “Struggling families will be shocked to see this super-rich Tory flying half way round the world to slash their household budgets.

“He should stick to writing his Broadway ballads instead. We can only be grateful that Labour’s peers made sure he had a wasted trip.”

The Phantom of the Opera musical creator is worth £650m according to the Sunday Times rich list, making him Britain's 172nd richest person.

The peer's last appearance of any kind in the Lords was in June for a speech calling for subsidies in the arts.

(Image: FameFlynet UK)

His spokesman said he had flown from New York 'at his own expense' - and not specifically for the vote but to attend tonight's opening of Cats at the London Palladium.

"He is also working with the cast today," the spokesman said.

"Coming back to London allowed him to vote in the House of Lords last night. He has never claimed expenses from the House of Lords."

Despite the star turn the Tories' efforts were unsuccessful - and two motions to delay the cuts by at least three years passed .

David Cameron and George Osborne are plotting revenge with a 'rapid review' of the Lords after the shock result , claiming the 'convention' of giving way to elected MPs had been 'broken'.

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Labour rival Lord Prescott mocking the millionaire by tweeting: "I look forward to hearing your new song Don't Cry For Me Baroness Tina" - a reference to lords leader Tina Stowell.

Other Twitter users expressed their outrage over the claims.

One said there was 'something very wrong with a man who flies from their New York home to vote to make poor people in another country poorer'.

Another claimed the multi-millionaire was trying to create 'his own Les Miserables'.

Despite claims on Twitter to the contrary, Lord Lloyd-Webber's spokesman added: "It is well known that Andrew is a UK resident and has never held non-domicile status. All of his business activities are based in the UK.

"He is currently working in New York as composer and producer of his new musical, School of Rock, which opens on Broadway, in December, based on the hit film starring Jack Black."

Comments on the peer's official Facebook page have been even less flattering.

One user wrote: "You sir, you're just a c***, please f*** off back to America."

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Others called him a 'nasty little weasel s***' and said he had 'the face of a smacked t***'.

Hannah Richmond added: "I urge everyone to boycott anything with Andrew Lloyd Webber's name attached to it.

"Regardless of his 'talent', he doesn't deserve your money. BOYCOTT!"

Lord Lloyd-Webber also attended a one-night charity theatre show in London the night before by director Danny Boyle.

On October 16 he was in New York to appear on the Today Show to promote his new musical. And on October 15 he was in Hamburg, Germany, for a premiere of Love Never Dies.

The peer appears: Lord Lloyd-Webber's voting record

June 2013: Voted against an amendment which would have struck down gay marriage

April 2013: Voted against ditching new NHS commissioning rules, despite campaigners warning they could allow privatisation by the back door.

October 2008: Voted against Labour plans to extend terror suspects' detention without charge from 28 days to 42.

October 2003: Voted to allow fox hunting when used to control sheep in a designated national park.

Source: The Public Whip