Support for call for mandatory checks on Parliamentarians

Margaret Mullane MP has joined the call for measures to be put in place for mandatory background checks on MPs and Lords.

Labour MP Jo White has put down an Early Day Motion in Parliament to introduce in-depth background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as part of inducting MPs into Parliament. Candidates are banned from running to be MPs if they have been jailed for more than a year anywhere in the British Isles, or been convicted of corruption, but there is no requirement for DBS checks to be made. The current system assumes MPs are "fit and proper" people, without requiring proof.

Margaret commented “DBS checks are required when applying for jobs with high-levels of access to vulnerable people - such as a teacher, social worker or GP. MPs should be subject to the same checks as we regularly meet constituents as part of the job and advocate for them if they are having problems accessing local services.

This change would make Parliament a safer place to work for staff and would give institutions, such as schools, hospitals and care homes, confidence when MPs visit.

There have been too many instances of bad and scandalous behavior by a small minority of MPs in the past and that has to be stopped so that we can earn the trust of the public as well as staff at Westminster. That’s why I have put my name to this proposed measure.” 

During the last parliament, staff complained to the BBC about a "predatory" culture in the House of Commons, following a string of allegations about bullying and sexual harassment.

A DBS check would help potentially weed out abusive candidates, and prevent them working in close quarters with junior staff.