Asked by: Baroness Pinnock (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to extend the criteria for disqualification to stand as a candidate for Parliament to include disqualification if named on the Sex Offenders Register; and if so, when.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Government is not currently planning to legislate to extend the disqualification criteria for UK Parliamentary General Elections beyond the criteria currently set out in the House of Commons Disqualification Act and the Representation of the People’s Act. We are keeping this issue under review and are committed to ensuring that our electoral arrangements are fit for purpose. In respect of Members of the House of Lords, HoLAC provides advice on nominations for all life peers, to ensure the highest standards of propriety.