Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone hails 'historic moment' after amendment shuts infamous loophole in MP misconduct procedures in Westminster
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CAITHNESS MP Jamie Stone has welcomed the success of his party in closing a loophole in existing MP misconduct motions.
Previously an MP who was being investigated for misconduct was still able to vote on motions about their alleged misconduct in office.
The previous practice was notoriously brought to attention by the Owen Paterson scandal, when he voted against his own suspension from the House of Commons in 2021.
But a new amendment by the Lib-Dems has ended that ability after it won cross-party support.
And Mr Stone, who represents Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has hailed the "historic moment".
Speaking after the amendment was passed, Mr Stone said: "It was an honour to attend this historic moment, led from the vanguard by my friend and Liberal Democrat colleague, Wendy Chamberlain [who tabled the amendment to the government's motion on standards].
"The blatant corruption we witnessed under Boris Johnson's government should have never been allowed to take place and, thanks to the integrity and leadership shown by Wendy during her tireless campaigning on this issue, it will never happen again.
"No longer will guilty MPs be allowed to vote themselves innocent. This is a huge improvement on the standards of UK politics and a necessary leap towards restoring trust in politicians."
Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said: "After years of sleaze and scandal, we've finally taken a vital step to clean up our politics.
"The British public expect our politics to be mended and this government has done the right thing today.
“It’s obviously not right that MPs who have been found to have broken conduct rules get to vote on whether or not they are punished. The defendant shouldn’t also be a member of the jury. I am glad our amendment has corrected this.
“Today makes sure MPs no longer get to mark their own homework."
