MSs could be removed by voters if convicted of serious offences

POLITICIANS who commit serious offences could be removed from their jobs by voters under a planned change to Senedd rules.

- RUTH MOSALSKI

Until now MSs who break the rules have not faced any “recall” provision.

In Westminster there are provisions that if an MP breaks the rules a vote of their constituents can be held and they can then lose their seat, as happened to Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies in 2019 over expenses offences. Now plans are being put forward by the Welsh Government for something similar to be in place in Wales.

The recall would be triggered in two ways:

Where a member is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment including suspended sentences; and

Where the Senedd agrees a recommendation from the standards committee that a member should be subject to a recall poll as a result of serious misconduct.

The Senedd’s standards committee had previously published a report calling for the introduction of a recall provision.