Login
Login

Suspension from the UK parliament

{{Short description|Parliamentary discipline}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}

In the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Members of Parliament (MPs) can be suspended from sitting in the House of Commons by the Speaker for "disorderly conduct".{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm200506/cmstords/416/41603.htm#a47|title=Standing Orders (2005)|publisher=HMSO}}

The Speaker can order an MP removed from the house until the end of the day. The speaker more often "names" an MP.

When an MP is named, a vote is held in the house in the same way as a normal vote on legislation. If the vote is successful, the MP named is suspended for five days for a first offence and 20 days for a second offence. During this time they cannot take part in either votes or debates in Parliament. They also have their pay suspended.

Short exclusions are typically given for conduct within the chamber, including conduct intended as forms of protest. Several short suspensions listed below involve interfering with the ceremonial mace. The Commons Select Committee on Standards and the Independent Expert Panel are empowered to investigate more serious misconduct and can recommend suspensions. Such suspensions of at least 10 sitting days and/or 14 calendar days trigger recall petitions under the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act 2015.

Members of the House of Lords can also be suspended. Since 1642, this occurred for the first time {{#tag:ref|In 1642, Thomas Savile, 1st Earl of Sussex was suspended for acting against Parliament on behalf of Charles I.{{cite news |title=Britain: 2 Are Suspended From the House of Lords |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/world/europe/21briefs-Britain.html |accessdate=17 November 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=21 May 2009}}}} in May 2009 when Labour peers Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn were suspended after a newspaper accused them of offering to change laws for cash.{{Cite news|last=Sparrow|first=Andrew|date=14 May 2009|title=Two Labour peers, Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor, face suspension for offering to change law for money|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/14/labour-peers-suspended|access-date=17 November 2020|issn=0261-3077}} It was followed by the suspension of three more peers in October 2010, when Baroness Uddin, Lord Paul and Lord Bhatia were suspended following the Parliamentary expenses scandal.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11597922|title=Three peers suspended from Lords over expenses claims|publisher=BBC News|date=October 2010|accessdate=11 May 2011}}

List of MPs suspended from parliament

{{Incomplete list|date=February 2011}}{{See also|Naming (parliamentary procedure)#House of Commons (United Kingdom)}}

class="wikitable sortable"

! Date!!Member of Parliament!!Political party!!Duration!!Reason

2 July 1931John McGovernIndependent Labour PartyRemainder of the sessionDisregarding ruling of the chair and requiring force to be removed when initially ordered to withdraw.{{cite hansard |house=House of Commons |date=2 July 1931 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1931/jul/02/glasgow-green-lay-preachers |title=Glasgow Green (Lay Preachers) |column_start=1465 |column_end=1471}}
27 May 1976Michael HeseltineConservative...Seizing the ceremonial mace.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82544.stm|title=Mace - Commons|publisher=BBC News|date=9 October 2008|accessdate=31 January 2009}}
1984Dennis SkinnerLabour...Unparliamentary language – referring to David Owen as a "pompous sod", and then only withdrawing the word "pompous" when instructed by the Speaker to withdraw the remark.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/dennis-skinner-five-times-rebellious-labour-mp-kicked-out-parliament-again-1554384|title=Dennis Skinner's record of rebellion: Veteran Labour MP kicked out of parliament yet again|first=Ian|last=Silvera|date=12 April 2016|publisher=|accessdate=4 March 2018}}
1985Brian SedgemoreLabour...Accusing Nigel Lawson of "perverting the course of justice".
15 March 1988Alex SalmondScottish National Party5 daysDisorderly conduct.
20 April 1988Ron BrownLabour20 daysDamaging the ceremonial mace by throwing it to the floor. He had agreed to read a pre-written apology but proceeded to add comments of his own, saying that he was "grovelling".
2 July 1992Dennis SkinnerLabour...Unparliamentary language – referring to Minister for Agriculture John Gummer as a "little squirt of a minister"
29 November 1993Ian PaisleyDemocratic Unionist...Unparliamentary language – refusing to withdraw use of the word "falsehoods" after being instructed to do so by the Speaker.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAfTHrtjvPg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/kAfTHrtjvPg |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Betty Boothroyd Suspends Ian Paisley|last=thatcheritescot|date=28 July 2013|publisher=|accessdate=4 March 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |date=29 November 1993 |title=Northern Ireland - Hansard - UK Parliament |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1993-11-29/debates/26efa850-0989-4a64-8d0c-1c84ff4db095/NorthernIreland#contribution-3cfd9cfd-e13b-4fea-a323-1e063a65ff1f |access-date=8 March 2023 |website=Hansard}}
9 May 1995Dennis SkinnerLabour...Unparliamentary language — accusing the government of a "crooked deal".
3 March 1998Ronnie CampbellLabour...Unparliamentary language, calling Conservative Shadow Agriculture Minister Michael Jack a "hypocrite".{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/politics/61825.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Labour MP suspended from Commons|date=3 March 1998|accessdate=24 August 2016}}
1 March 2000Teresa GormanConservative4 weeksFailing to disclose on the Register of Members Interests between 1987 and 1994 three rented properties in south London and for her failure to register two rented-out Portuguese properties from 1987 to 1999. The Commons' Standards and Privileges committee also found she should not have introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill in 1990 proposing the repeal of the Rent Acts without registering and declaring a financial interest.{{Cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/2000/mar/01/standards-and-privileges|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=1 March 2000|title=Standards and Privileges }}
31 October 2001Geoffrey RobinsonLabour3 weeksFailing to declare receipt of £200,000 from outside interest Hollis/Lock in payment for "management services" he provided in 1990.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmstnprv/465/46515.htm|publisher=Parliament|title=Committee on Standards in Public Life Seventh Report 2001|first=|last=|date=3 May 2001|accessdate=8 September 2009}}{{Cite web |date=31 October 2001 |title=Standards and Privileges |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/2001/oct/31/standards-and-privileges |access-date=3 March 2023 |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)}}
13 February 2002Keith VazLabour1 monthGiving misleading information to the Standards and Privileges Committee.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vaz-given-onemonth-commons-suspension-660632.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712234839/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vaz-given-onemonth-commons-suspension-660632.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2011|work=The Independent|title=Vaz given one-month Commons suspension|first=Ben|last=Russell|date=14 February 2002|accessdate=31 January 2009 | location=London}}{{Cite web |date=13 February 2002 |title=Standards and Privileges |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/2002/feb/13/standards-and-privileges |access-date=8 March 2023 |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)}}
14 February 2003Michael TrendConservative2 weeksObstructing an investigation into his financial affairs.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/senior-tory-mp-suspended-over-false-expenses-claim-597555.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310011726/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/senior-tory-mp-suspended-over-false-expenses-claim-597555.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2010|work=The Independent|title=Senior Tory MP suspended over false expenses claim|first=Marie|last=Woolf|date=14 February 2003|accessdate=11 May 2011 | location=London}}
11 September 2003Clive BettsLabour1 weekAgreeing to copy a doctored document for his parliamentary assistant as part of an immigration bid{{cite news |title=MP suspended from Commons |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_yorkshire/3100652.stm |accessdate=17 November 2020 |work=BBC News |date=11 September 2003}}{{Cite web |date=11 September 2003 |title=Standards and Privileges |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/2003/sep/11/standards-and-privileges |access-date=8 March 2023 |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)}}
3 February 2005Jonathan SayeedConservative2 weeksUsing tours of Parliament to promote a travel business.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/feb/04/uk.conservatives|title=Tory MP suspended for offering Westminster tours|date=4 February 2005|accessdate=31 January 2009|work=The Guardian | location=London | first=David | last=Hencke}}
8 December 2005Dennis SkinnerLabour...Accused the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne of taking cocaine as a student.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo051208/debtext/51208-04.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 8 Dec 2005 (pt 4)|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons|last=Westminster|website=publications.parliament.uk|accessdate=4 March 2018}}
20 April 2006Dennis SkinnerLabour...Unparliamentary language – accusing Deputy Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst of leniency towards opposition frontbencher Theresa May "because she's a Tory".{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/apr/20/houseofcommons.uk1 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Skinner thrown out of the Commons - again | first=Oliver | last=King | date=20 April 2006 | accessdate=24 May 2010}}
23 July 2007George GallowayRespect18 daysQuestioning the integrity of MPs investigating whether Galloway took money from Iraq.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2007-07-23b.612.0|title=Galloway ordered out of Commons|date=24 July 2007|accessdate=31 January 2009}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2007-07-23b.626.5|title=Standards and Privileges|publisher=TheyWorkForYou|date=23 July 2007|accessdate=24 December 2023}}
31 January 2008Derek ConwayConservative10 daysEmploying family members in breach of rules on payments.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1577102/Derek-Conway-suspended-from-the-Commons.html|title=Derek Conway suspended from Commons|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=31 January 2008|accessdate=11 May 2011|location=London}}
15 January 2009John McDonnellLabour5 daysRemoving the ceremonial mace.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7830937.stm|title=MP suspended after mace protest|publisher=BBC News|date=15 January 2009|accessdate=31 January 2009}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2009-01-15d.367.1|title=Order...|publisher=TheyWorkForYou|date=15 January 2009|accessdate=31 January 2009}}
11 May 2011David LawsLiberal Democrat7 daysPaying rent from his MP's allowance to his partner.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/liberal-democrat-mps-expenses/8507158/MPs-expenses-David-Laws-suspended-from-House-of-Commons-for-seven-days.html|publisher=The Telegraph|date=11 May 2011|accessdate=11 May 2011|location=London|first=Holly|last=Watt|title=MPs' expenses: David Laws suspended from House of Commons for seven days}}
18 September 2012

|Paul Flynn

|Labour

|5 days

|Accusing Defence Secretary Philip Hammond of lying to the House of Commons

10 July 2013

|Nigel Dodds

|Democratic Unionist Party

|...

|Unparliamentary language – describing answers given by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers to questions about her powers as being "deliberately deceptive".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23260146|title=Dodds ordered from Commons chamber|work=BBC News|date=10 July 2013|publisher=|accessdate=4 March 2018}}

11 April 2016

|Dennis Skinner

|Labour

|...

|Unparliamentary language – referring to Prime Minister David Cameron as 'Dodgy Dave' and refusing to withdraw the remark.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dennis-skinner-thrown-out-of-parliament-for-refusing-to-withdraw-dodgy-dave-jibe-a6979111.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dennis-skinner-thrown-out-of-parliament-for-refusing-to-withdraw-dodgy-dave-jibe-a6979111.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Dennis Skinner thrown out of Parliament over 'Dodgy Dave' jibe|website=Independent.co.uk|date=11 April 2016|publisher=|accessdate=4 March 2018}}

10 October 2016

|Justin Tomlinson

|Conservative

|2 days

|leaked a parliamentary report to a Wonga.com employee[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/justin-tomlinson-dwp-disabilities-minister-suspended-parliament-leaking-payday-loan-report-wonga-a7308936.html The Independent]

13 June 2018

|Ian Blackford

|Scottish National Party

|...

|Not returning to his seat and causing a scene.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44467306|publisher=BBC News Online|title=SNP MPs walk out of PMQs in 'Brexit power grab' protest|date=13 June 2018|accessdate=14 January 2019}}

24 July 2018

|Ian Paisley Jr

|Democratic Unionist Party

|30 days

|Failing to declare two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan Government. Triggered the 2018 North Antrim recall petition

10 December 2018

|Lloyd Russell-Moyle

|Labour

|...

|Removing the ceremonial mace.{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-live-theresa-may-vote-deal-parliament-house-commons-ecj-article-50-latest-update-a8675611.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-live-theresa-may-vote-deal-parliament-house-commons-ecj-article-50-latest-update-a8675611.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Labour MP suspended from Commons for stealing ceremonial mace in protest at Brexit vote delay |last=Buchan |first=Lizzy |date=10 December 2018 |website=The Independent |access-date=10 December 2018}}

31 October 2019

|Keith Vaz

|Labour

|6 months

|Expressed willingness to purchase cocaine for sex workers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50252630|title= MP Keith Vaz suspended from Commons after drug and sex inquiry| website= BBC News Online| date= 31 October 2019| accessdate= 31 October 2019 }}

11 May 2020

|Conor Burns

|Conservative

|7 days

|Intimidating a member of the public.{{Cite web|title=Committee on Standards publishes report on Conor Burns - News from Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/standards/news-parliament-2017/conor-burns-report-published-19-21/|website=UK Parliament|language=English|access-date=11 May 2020|archive-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504234323/https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/standards/news-parliament-2017/conor-burns-report-published-19-21/|url-status=dead}}

16 December 2020

|Drew Hendry

|Scottish National Party

|

|Not returning to his seat against the Speaker's instruction and removing the ceremonial mace.

27 May 2021

|Rob Roberts

|Conservative

|6 weeks

|Breach of Parliament's sexual misconduct policy.

22 July 2021

|Dawn Butler

|Labour

|

|Unparliamentary language - Stating the Prime Minister had 'lied' and refusing to withdraw the remark.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Dawn Butler reprimanded for saying Boris Johnson 'lied'|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-07-22/labours-dawn-butler-told-to-leave-house-of-commons-after-saying-boris-johnson-lied|access-date=2021-07-22|website=ITV News|language=en}}

31 January 2022

|Ian Blackford

|Scottish National Party

|

|Accusing Boris Johnson of "wilfully misleading parliament" about the parties held at Downing Street during Covid-19 restrictions and refusing Speaker's request to withdraw his comment by responding "It's not my fault if the prime minister can't be trusted to tell the truth".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-60205873|publisher=BBC News Online|title=Gray report: SNP Westminster leader Blackford ordered out of Commons|date=31 January 2022|accessdate=2 January 2022}}

13 July 2022

|Neale Hanvey
Kenny MacAskill

|Alba Party

|5 days

|Disorderly conduct - Protesting for Scottish Independence by obstructing Prime Minister's Questions.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-62149112 | title='Shut up and get out' - Speaker orders two MPS to leave | work=BBC News }}

24 May 2023

|Paul Bristow

|Conservative

|

|Disorderly conduct - Interrupting Leader of The Opposition Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister's Questions.{{cite news | url=https://news.sky.com/video/angry-speaker-asks-conservative-mp-to-leave-pmqs-12888288 | title=Angry Speaker asks Conservative MP to leave PMQs |work=Sky News }}

6 June 2023

|Margaret Ferrier

|Independent (formerly Scottish National Party)

|30 days (later recalled by constituents)

|Breach of Covid lockdown rules. Triggered the 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West recall petition.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65702252 | title=MPs vote to ban Margaret Ferrier from Commons for 30 days |work=BBC News }}

25 October 2023

|Peter Bone

|Independent (Conservative whip suspended)

|30 days (later recalled by constituents)

|Committed bullying and sexual misconduct towards a staff member. Triggered the 2023 Wellingborough recall petition.{{cite news | url=https://news.sky.com/story/peter-bone-ex-tory-mp-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-and-bullying-suspended-from-commons-for-six-weeks-12990803 | title=Peter Bone: Ex-Tory MP accused of sexual misconduct and bullying suspended from Commons for six weeks |work=Sky News }}

28 February 2024

|Scott Benton

|Independent (Conservative whip suspended)

|35 days (later resigned during recall petition)

|Suggesting to undercover reporters from The Times that he would be willing to break lobbying rules for money claiming that "he was corrupt and for sale". Triggered the 2024 Blackpool South recall petition{{cite news

url=https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-braced-for-another-by-election-after-ex-tory-mp-scott-benton-suspended-from-commons-13082132 | title=Rishi Sunak braced for another by-election after ex-Tory MP Scott Benton suspended from Commons |work=Sky News}}

External links

  • [http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN02430 Members Suspended from the House of Commons 1949–2009]

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

Category:Parliament of the United Kingdom