The House of Commons has approved measures to allow a panel to exclude MPs arrested for serious violent or sexual offences from the parliamentary estate before formal charges are laid, sparking debate over constitutional principles and the treatment of individuals based on allegations.
The House of Commons voted narrowly, with a 170 to 169 result, to adopt measures that empower a Commons panel to bar MPs arrested for serious violent or sexual offenses from the parliamentary estate. This decision, made on Monday night, amplifies an initial government proposal that would have only banned MPs after formal charges were laid. Under the approved system, the risk assessment to potentially exclude an MP will be triggered upon notification of their arrest by police.
The debate surrounding these measures has been intense, with some MPs, like former Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, labeling it as an “extraordinary power grab” that undermines constitutional principles. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt highlighted that the procedures are aimed at improving standards and safeguarding within Parliament. However, critics in the government initially pushed for a looser approach where MPs would only be banned post-charge, citing concerns over the treatment of MPs based on mere allegations.
Labour MP Jess Phillips emphasized the importance of these stricter measures by revealing interactions with victims of rape by MPs, arguing the necessity of action upon arrest rather than waiting for formal charges. This move, as per the new rules, means a panel will decide on the exclusion of an MP from the parliamentary estate and Commons-funded travels, initiating a process that is set to better protect Parliament staff and uphold integrity within the governmental institution.