Petition · past parliament
Any MP convicted of a criminal offence should lose their seat automatically.
Rejected
13 signatures
What the petition asks
Fiona Onasanya has been convicted off the offence of Perverting the Course of Justice, but because the sentence given was under 12 months in jail (she was given 3), she does not automatically lose her seat as an MP. A criminal conviction, regardless of the sentence, renders an MP unsuitable.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-47040912
Currently, as she was "only" sentenced to less than 12 months in jail (3 months), her constituents must petition to have her removed - and they only have a six week window to do that, and only AFTER her appeal is heard. Most constituents won't know the process, won't have the time, and won't be aware of the appeal.
It should be automatic, or at least straight to a misconduct panel as it would of she were a police officer.
Currently, as she was "only" sentenced to less than 12 months in jail (3 months), her constituents must petition to have her removed - and they only have a six week window to do that, and only AFTER her appeal is heard. Most constituents won't know the process, won't have the time, and won't be aware of the appeal.
It should be automatic, or at least straight to a misconduct panel as it would of she were a police officer.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 29 Jan 2019 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 5 Feb 2019 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
13
Status
Rejected
Rejected
5 Feb 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.