Theresa May's cunning plan to call a snap GE and then screw up the campaign, so Labour would have a load of unvetted new MPs, starts to swing into action....
Will TMay block Stewart Jackson from standing again?
In the circumstances, he would surely be the best candidate. The Chequers deal clearly isn't popular (compromises usually aren't) but it would be very awkward to have a by-election candidate who didn't support the PM's policy. Unless, of course, they were the previous MP.
How many Conservative & Labour MPs have currently had the whip withdrawn at the moment, and is it currently two Labour MPs who are now sitting as independents?
Odd its taken the media 12 days to report this considering she was charged and appeared in Westminster magistrates court - not locally in her constituency.
Presumably she only has to step down if convicted and any trial could be months away.
How many Conservative & Labour MPs have currently had the whip withdrawn at the moment, and is it currently two Labour MPs who are now sitting as independents?
How many Conservative & Labour MPs have currently had the whip withdrawn at the moment, and is it currently two Labour MPs who are now sitting as independents?
Jared O'Mara and John Woodcock are sitting as independents.
Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis are currently without the whip.
On the blue side I think it is just Charlie Elphicke without the whip.
She appeared in court at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 12th July, nearly two weeks ago. Why has this taken so long to be reported?
I suspect some sort of reporting restriction. Can't think why - but then that would normally be reported alongside the revelation of the charging itself.
Normally even the arrest of any MP makes a huge splash. Why did that slip under the radar?
She appeared in court at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 12th July, nearly two weeks ago. Why has this taken so long to be reported?
I suspect some sort of reporting restriction. Can't think why - but then that would normally be reported alongside the revelation of the charging itself.
Normally even the arrest of any MP makes a huge splash. Why did that slip under the radar?
A reporting restriction could well be related to whichever case she is accused of perverting the course of justice of...
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
How many Conservative & Labour MPs have currently had the whip withdrawn at the moment, and is it currently two Labour MPs who are now sitting as independents?
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
As I said a few mins ago - longest possible sentence is life. More likely 4 to 36 months - sometimes with a fine (or sometimes just a fine)
Either way, enough to be career ending - IF convicted
She appeared in court at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 12th July, nearly two weeks ago. Why has this taken so long to be reported?
I suspect some sort of reporting restriction. Can't think why - but then that would normally be reported alongside the revelation of the charging itself.
Normally even the arrest of any MP makes a huge splash. Why did that slip under the radar?
Media turning a blind eye to Labour misconduct as always.
How many Conservative & Labour MPs have currently had the whip withdrawn at the moment, and is it currently two Labour MPs who are now sitting as independents?
Jared O'Mara and John Woodcock are sitting as independents.
Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis are currently without the whip.
On the blue side I think it is just Charlie Elphicke without the whip.
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
It can be a life sentence but it is circa around 6-12 months.
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
IANAL, but CPS guidelines are 4-36 months. It has a huge range (up to life), given that the nature of the particular course of justice one is perverting is so crucial.
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
IANAL, but CPS guidelines are 4-36 months. It has a huge range (up to life), given that the nature of the particular course of justice one is perverting is so crucial.
When you are a law-maker (as MP), even the hint of you perverting the course of justice seems worse.
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
IANAL, but CPS guidelines are 4-36 months. It has a huge range (up to life), given that the nature of the particular course of justice one is perverting is so crucial.
When you are a law-maker (as MP), even the hint of you perverting the course of justice seems worse.
She is a qualified solicitor too. All very curious.
Will TMay block Stewart Jackson from standing again?
In the circumstances, he would surely be the best candidate. The Chequers deal clearly isn't popular (compromises usually aren't) but it would be very awkward to have a by-election candidate who didn't support the PM's policy. Unless, of course, they were the previous MP.
I'd prefer a new and more centrist candidate if a by-election ensues. Jackson's failure to hold the seat last time says all you need to know.
Thanks for the replies. So even if she is found guilty, there is a strong possibility she wouldn't automatically forfeit her seat.
Any custodial sentence would allow electors to petition for her recall under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. 10% of the electorate signing the petition would trigger a by-election, in which she could stand (unless sentenced for more than a year).
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
IANAL, but CPS guidelines are 4-36 months. It has a huge range (up to life), given that the nature of the particular course of justice one is perverting is so crucial.
When you are a law-maker (as MP), even the hint of you perverting the course of justice seems worse.
She is a qualified solicitor too. All very curious.
Constance Briscoe was a Recorder and she was found guilty of something similar in the Huhne trial.
They may well be - but it is a bit early to speculate on that. Much could well depend on the nature of the allegations and how tarnished the party ends up being as a result.
Thanks for the replies. So even if she is found guilty, there is a strong possibility she wouldn't automatically forfeit her seat.
Any custodial sentence would allow electors to petition for her recall under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. 10% of the electorate signing the petition would trigger a by-election, in which she could stand (unless sentenced for more than a year).
Thanks for the replies. So even if she is found guilty, there is a strong possibility she wouldn't automatically forfeit her seat.
Any custodial sentence would allow electors to petition for her recall under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. 10% of the electorate signing the petition would trigger a by-election, in which she could stand (unless sentenced for more than a year).
The key word was 'automatically.'
Ah yes, my apologies. Either way, I think anyone being convicted of anything is pretty much toast these days.
For our lawyers, on a more serious note, what sort of penalty might be imposed IF she is found guilty? Is it one with a wide range of sentences or does the judge have a tight set of guidelines?
IANAL, but CPS guidelines are 4-36 months. It has a huge range (up to life), given that the nature of the particular course of justice one is perverting is so crucial.
When you are a law-maker (as MP), even the hint of you perverting the course of justice seems worse.
She is a qualified solicitor too. All very curious.
Constance Briscoe was a Recorder and she was found guilty of something similar in the Huhne trial.
Thanks for the replies. So even if she is found guilty, there is a strong possibility she wouldn't automatically forfeit her seat.
Any custodial sentence would allow electors to petition for her recall under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. 10% of the electorate signing the petition would trigger a by-election, in which she could stand (unless sentenced for more than a year).
The key word was 'automatically.'
Ah yes, my apologies. Either way, I think anyone being convicted of anything is pretty much toast these days.
Well, perhaps they should be. But in the current Labour Party, I wouldn't like to bet on it. Much would depend on the case.
The tweet has unfortunate implications - it will presumably be the Special Crime part of it, one of whose responsibilities is "cases involving high profile individuals such as MPs".
They may well be - but it is a bit early to speculate on that. Much could well depend on the nature of the allegations and how tarnished the party ends up being as a result.
*IF* it escalates as far as a by-election then the main thing to look out for will be evidence for Ukip rising from the grave - as if we didn't have enough problems already...
Thanks for the replies. So even if she is found guilty, there is a strong possibility she wouldn't automatically forfeit her seat.
Any custodial sentence would allow electors to petition for her recall under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. 10% of the electorate signing the petition would trigger a by-election, in which she could stand (unless sentenced for more than a year).
I must have taken my eye off the ball because I didn't know the 10% recall proposal had passed into law.
Thanks for the replies. So even if she is found guilty, there is a strong possibility she wouldn't automatically forfeit her seat.
Any custodial sentence would allow electors to petition for her recall under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. 10% of the electorate signing the petition would trigger a by-election, in which she could stand (unless sentenced for more than a year).
I must have taken my eye off the ball because I didn't know the 10% recall proposal had passed into law.
There's talk of it being used in North Antrim on Ian Paisley Jr., based on his 30-day suspension from the Commons.
Corbynite-deathtoIsrael or yellerremainerMiliband ?
She's a Remainer. From the little I know of her I wouldn't call her a Corbynista. Moreover, if she were surely she would be in the Shadow Cabinet by now.
She appeared in court at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 12th July, nearly two weeks ago. Why has this taken so long to be reported?
I suspect some sort of reporting restriction. Can't think why - but then that would normally be reported alongside the revelation of the charging itself.
Normally even the arrest of any MP makes a huge splash. Why did that slip under the radar?
Media turning a blind eye to Labour misconduct as always.
Why on earth would Tory-supporting newspapers turn a blind eye to alleged Labour misconduct?
Chris Huhne was charged in February 2012 and his trial started a year later.
Didn't he eventually plead guilty, or have imagined that? I suspect you're right though, these things take along time to come to court. Just look at Thanet South.
Chris Huhne was charged in February 2012 and his trial started a year later.
Didn't he eventually plead guilty, or have imagined that? I suspect you're right though, these things take along time to come to court. Just look at Thanet South.
He did, he changed his plea on the first day of trial.
As someone who has accumulated 21 points on his licence at various stages can I say anyone who tries to dodge speeding points are lower than Mark Reckless in my eyes.
You want stress? Try driving for 8 months whilst on 9 points.
As someone who has accumulated 21 points on his licence at various stages can I say anyone who tries to dodge speeding points are lower than Mark Reckless in my eyes.
You want stress? Try driving for 8 months whilst on 9 points.
Sounds as though it was a much less stressful time for all the other drivers in West Yorkshire though TSE if you're that careless a driver.
As someone who has accumulated 21 points on his licence at various stages can I say anyone who tries to dodge speeding points are lower than Mark Reckless in my eyes.
You want stress? Try driving for 8 months whilst on 9 points.
Sounds as though it was a much less stressful time for all the other drivers in West Yorkshire though TSE if you're that careless a driver.
I was driving 30,000 miles a year in those years.
The E class Merc and the ML I had were very quiet, you could be doing 85mph and it sounded so quiet.
I've been driving for 23 years and I've not been involved in fault accident yet.
I'm one of the safest drivers on the road.
Plus the speed cameras on the Stocksbridge bypass really didn't like me.
I've read a lot of criticism on here of certain Tory MPs. Stewart Jackson is one, Andrew Bridgen is another. I know little about either, other than what I read in All Out War about the latter. But it is interesting to see how the Tories have fared in Peterborough and North West Leicestershire.
Jackson lost Peterborough last year having had a 4,800 majority in 2010. Andrew Bridgen recorded a 13,000 majority last year having gained the seat with a 7,500 majority in 2010. Both seats voted leave by over 20 pp in the referendum.
Comments
Presumably she only has to step down if convicted and any trial could be months away.
Remember what happened the last time they gained a seat from Labour!
Worst case scenario is life in prison for those convicted of this sort of offence. More likely 4 - 36 months.
Either way, end of career IF found guilty.
Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis are currently without the whip.
On the blue side I think it is just Charlie Elphicke without the whip.
Not much more being added.
Remember when Chris Huhne was awaiting trial there was a restriction in place about Constance Briscoe.
Normally even the arrest of any MP makes a huge splash. Why did that slip under the radar?
Either way, enough to be career ending - IF convicted
I suspect the Chris Huhne precedent would kick in 'Lawmakers cannot be lawbreakers'
There's also the potential for recall.
"The Mirror has learned the case is being prosecuted by the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division of the Crown Prosecution Service."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-labour-mp-appears-court-12979550
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-44957896
https://twitter.com/andrewgregory/status/1022158732590018560
EDIT I see @Tissue_Price made the same point first.
Corbynite-deathtoIsrael or yellerremainerMiliband ?
https://twitter.com/FionaOnasanyaMP/with_replies
Chris Huhne was charged in February 2012 and his trial started a year later.
"It is not known when the alleged offence took place. The BBC has contacted the office of Ms Onasanya, who previously worked as a solicitor."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-44957896
Basically he's saying don't assume she's a terrorist just because of the police unit involved.
(If she were a Corbynista now...)
I was trying to put TGOHF's 'Hello' into context.
https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1022166136706748417
https://twitter.com/mrharrycole/status/1022166136706748417?s=21
If it's true she is Toasty McToastface.
Why couldn't she have done something interesting, like perjured herself in a case over an anti-Jewish terrorist?
We've already had one of these.
You want stress? Try driving for 8 months whilst on 9 points.
quite.
The Mirror understands the case is being handled by the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division of the Crown Prosecution Service
The E class Merc and the ML I had were very quiet, you could be doing 85mph and it sounded so quiet.
I've been driving for 23 years and I've not been involved in fault accident yet.
I'm one of the safest drivers on the road.
Plus the speed cameras on the Stocksbridge bypass really didn't like me.
Jackson lost Peterborough last year having had a 4,800 majority in 2010. Andrew Bridgen recorded a 13,000 majority last year having gained the seat with a 7,500 majority in 2010. Both seats voted leave by over 20 pp in the referendum.