Sanctions for Breaches of the Code of
Conduct
1. We propose that the House should introduce
two new sanctions for breaches of the Code of Conduct:
(a) denial of access for a specified period to
the system of financial support for Members; and
(b) denial of access for a specified period to
the facilities of the House.
2. The first would prevent a Member from claiming
any money from the House.[1]
The second would deny a Member access to the following: dining
and banqueting facilities; car parking; the Library, including
research services; ICT equipment, supplies, network accounts and
support; bookable meeting rooms; individual desk space; personalised
stationery; and pre-paid postage envelopes.
3. Unlike suspension, the new sanctions could
be applied for any period of time because they are not linked
to the Member's writ of summons. If a Member was also suspended
for breaching the Code, the new sanctions could be applied for
a period longer than the suspension, so that the Member would
continue to be denied access to financial support and facilities
after returning to the House.
4. If the House agrees to this report, the sanctions
would in future be available to the Committee for Privileges and
Conduct to recommend to the House on a case-by-case basis. The
sanctions would only be available in respect of misconduct which
takes place after this report has been agreed by the House.
5. We invite the House to make available to
the Committee for Privileges and Conduct the two additional sanctions
proposed in this report.
1 The only exceptions would be additional expenses
available to Members with a disability, and claims under the personal
injury and travel insurance scheme for Members. Back
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