House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015

Historically the House of Lords had no power to expel a member from the House, even if they had committed a criminal offence or been imprisoned. An example of this was when Lord Black of Crossharbour was imprisoned for three years and was placed on a leave of absence from the House but only had to give three months notice in order to return. The strongest sanction the House of Lords could issue against a peer was a suspension for the rest of the Parliamentary session. However it was felt these powers were insufficient. The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Bill was first introduced to Parliament as a Private Members Bill by Baroness Hayman in the House of Lords before progressing to the House of Commons where it was sponsored by Sir George Young. It received Royal Assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 26 March 2015. == Effect ==

The act granted the House of Lords the power to amend their Standing Orders to allow for peers to be expelled for breaching the House of Lords code of conduct. Under section 4 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014, a life peer who is expelled from the Lords can accordingly be elected as, or vote for, an MP, though no such peer has been elected to the House of Commons. It was speculated that the power would first be used after Lord Sewel was filmed allegedly taking cocaine, however Lord Sewel resigned in July 2015 before the investigation could take place. The first peer recommended for expulsion by the Lords Conduct Committee was Lord Ahmed in November 2020, who subsequently resigned from the Lords as well. ==See also==