Parliament backs Lib Dem amendment to exclude MPs arrested for serious offences

EMBARGO: For Immediate Release

MPs have voted by 170 votes to 169 to back an amendment tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain that ensures MPs accused of serious offences are excluded from the Parliamentary estate at the point of arrest, rather than only when charged.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain said:

“This is an important step towards making Parliament a safe and modern place to work.

“It is not about the guilt or innocence of any individual MP, but about safeguarding.

“It’s really important that Parliament is just as safe as any other workplace and that everyone is held to account by similar rules.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Amendment voted on by 170 votes to 169 was a paving amendment:

The Amendment read “Paragraph (1), line 2, leave out “save that the threshold for risk-based exclusion should be when a Member has been charged with a relevant offence”

The House then accepted Amendment h without a vote:

“Paragraph (1) of the proposed Standing Order, line 1, leave out “is charged with” and insert “has been arrested on suspicion of committing”