MPS accused of serious offences should be banned from attending Westminster, a senior SNP MP has suggested.
Pete Wishart, speaking in the Commons this afternoon, said the proposal is being discussed with staff unions and Parliamentary officials, adding MPs could be asked to take a decision on it in future.
The MP for Perth and North Perthshire said a limit on access to the parliamentary estate would be likely proposed for MPs accused of the “most serious of transgressions”.
A voluntary agreement for an MP to stay away from Parliament has been known to exist when serious allegations have been levelled, but there is currently no formal requirement for them to do so.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Wishart said: “There’s something that’s not been addressed yet and I think it’s the next thing that will be coming our way.
“Those Members of Parliament who are under investigation for the most serious of transgressions against members of staff of this House are still able to access the parliamentary estate and go around their business as normal.
“I think that’s something we’re going to have to look at in the future – whether somebody who is under investigation for the most serious of offences has access to the estate."
He said in other workplaces, those who have been "identified as a transgressor in a serious way" would not have access to their workplace in the same way as MPs do to Parliament.
He continued: "I’ve discussed this with staff unions and the House has discussed it with several members of staff and I know there is still huge concern about all of this, and I know this is something they’re looking to bring forward to us in order for this House to take a view on and in order to try to resolve to their satisfaction.
“I think this is an issue we’re going to have to confront as it goes forward.”
Mr Wishart raised the proposal as MPs agreed to close a loophole which had prevented Rob Roberts, MP for Delyn, from facing a by-election.
On May 27, MPs approved a motion to suspend Mr Roberts from the Commons for six weeks after he made repeated unwanted advances to a member of staff. He also lost the Tory whip.
But Mr Roberts did not face the prospect of losing his seat given the way recall laws were drawn up.
His sanction was proposed by the panel set up in 2020 to deal with cases raised under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
But the Recall of Parliament Act, passed in 2015, only allowed the prospect of a by-election for sanctions imposed on the recommendation of the Commons Committee on Standards.
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg moved a motion to close the loophole, which was approved.
Labour’s attempt to ensure the change could retrospectively apply to Independent MP Mr Roberts was rejected by 297 votes to 213, majority 84.
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