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Written question asked by Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative) on Friday, 28 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 April 2025. It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Monday, 7 April 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government: Disqualification

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to change disqualification rules for (a) councillors, (b) mayors and (c) other elected representatives, in relation to those found guilty of sexual offences.

Answer

On changes to local government disqualification criteria, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41451.

The government has been clear that standards in local government need to be improved and that could include a standards regime which has the power to suspend, sanction and disqualify for the most serious breaches.

Councillors and mayors already face disqualification if found guilty of sexual offences. Individuals made subject to the notification requirements or who receive a relevant order for sexual offences are disqualified for as long as they remain subject to them.

Someone cannot be a Police and Crime Commissioner if they have ever been convicted of an imprisonable offence.

We have no plans to extend the House of Commons disqualification criteria beyond those set out in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Representation of the People Act 1981. There are also mechanisms in place under the Recall of MPs Act 2015 for the electorate to decide whether to remove MPs convicted of other offences.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
42252
Session
2024-26
Related items
Councillors
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Councillors Disqualification Local government Sexual offences
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk