MPs under investigation could be barred from Parliament as Tory accused of rape

MPs accused of serious criminal offences could be banned from Parliament under new powers being considered, as the Tories faced pressure to identify and suspend the Conservative MP accused of rape.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said discussions are ongoing to decide whether parliamentarians could be barred from the estate while under police investigation. The Conservatives have told the unnamed MP to stay away from Parliament while on bail for allegations including sexual assault, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office.

But the party was resisting calls to suspend and identify the Tory, who has only been publicly identified as a man in his 50s. Policing minister Kit Malthouse said they have to be “sensitive” about anonymity for suspects under investigation, saying it can put “enormous strain on individuals” who ultimately do not face prosecution.

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Sir Lindsay said that the MP under investigation should stay away from Westminster in the “best interest of both the member” and parliamentary staff. But he told Times Radio: “Unless the rules change in the House, a member has the right to come in.”

Asked if the Commons authorities could get the powers to block MPs’ passes under the circumstances, Sir Lindsay said: “What I would say is conversations are going on at the moment.” While it was unclear who would be granted the power to bar MPs, it was understood it was unlikely the Speaker would be able to act single-handedly."

Mr Malthouse told Times Radio: “We have to take care here. Far be it for me to give advice to the Speaker but we have to take care when overriding the democratic decisions of the British public.