MPs who are arrested should no longer have their names released by the House of Commons unless the alleged crime relates to their parliamentary job, a committee of MPs has recommended.
The Commons procedure committee said it was unfair that other citizens do not have their names released by the police when they are arrested, but that MPs have their names published in parliament’s daily order paper.
The naming process led to the confirmation of the arrests in the last parliament of Tory MPs Nigel Evans, who was later cleared of rape and sexual assault, and David Ruffley, who was arrested and cautioned for assault. Two other Conservatives, Mark Pritchard and Andrew Bridgen, were subject to unfounded rape allegations which were later dropped.
The order paper also revealed that Eric Joyce, a former Labour MP, was arrested four times. On one occasion no further action was taken following an alleged bar brawl in the Commons. Another incident in a shop led to him being found guilty of common assault earlier this year.
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, was arrested during a protest against fracking and was acquitted of obstruction.
The committee of MPs said it was right that the police inform the Commons when a member has been arrested, but details of that arrest should not automatically be published by the house.
“This will give them the same rights to privacy as any other citizen,” the committee said. “In accordance with standard police practice and privacy law, names of arrested members will not be put into the public domain by the house unless the member consents.
“The exception will be in cases where the Speaker is advised by the clerk of the house that a member has been detained for reasons connected to his or her role as a member of parliament.”
The name would only be published if the MP is charged with an offence.
The recommendation comes after a row over the parliamentary watchdog’s refusal to reveal which MPs are under investigation over their expenses, including two cases that were referred to the police before the election.
