UK MPs arrested on suspicion of serious sexual or violent offences could be barred from attending parliament after lawmakers changed the rules in a narrow vote late on Monday. Parliament decided by just one vote that any MP arrested over such accusations should face a risk assessment, which could lead to them being excluded from entering the House of Commons. The move toughens up a proposal by the Conservative government, which had said MPs should only be barred if they were actually charged with an offence after being arrested. Previously, MPs arranged with their own party whether they could attend parliament having been arrested for serious sexual or violent offences. Several MPs have been arrested for such offences since the last general election in 2019.

Source: The Times May 14, 2024 16:26 UTC