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SNP ups the pressure to oust convicted peers

The SNP has stepped up calls for peers convicted of a criminal offence to be thrown out of Parliament amid reports ministers are considering such a measure.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have complained that peers should not be allowed to keep their seats in the House of Lords if they have committed crimes.

There was outrage when Lord Watson, the ex-Labour peer, was allowed to remain a member of the Upper chamber despite serving time for fire raising. Other peers to have kept their titles include Lord Archer, who was jailed for perjury.