SNP BACKS CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AGAINST WAYWARD MPS.

SNP BACKS CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AGAINST WAYWARD MPS.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is backing legal moves which would introduce new criminal penalties against MPs that break the rules.

Westminster SNP Leader Angus Robertson MP spoke up for the changes at a meeting of all parties chaired by Justice Secretary Jack Straw this morning (Thursday). He said that the House of Commons must at least introduce the legal sanctions which are already operating in the Scottish Parliament.

Higher standards at Holyrood have already been emulated with Westminster today publishing all MPs expense claims. At a recent meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other party leaders Mr Robertson suggested that the House of Commons must match the higher transparency standards of the Scottish Parliament with quarterly updates of expenses on the internet.

Speaking about the proposals for legal sanctions against wayward MPs Westminster SNP Leader Angus Robertson said:

“Westminster must introduce new legal sanctions against MPs that break the rules. The public are quite right when they say that MPs should not be exempt from serious consequences if they break the rules.

“The Scottish Parliament has shown the way with legal sanctions that can be applied against wayward parliamentarians.

“The SNP strongly supports the early introduction of Westminster legislation including sanctions and I have spoken in favour of this option to Justice Secretary Jack Straw and all other parties involved in reform talks.

“Hopefully firm proposals will be published in the days ahead.”