Petition · past parliament · Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
Make Contempt of Parliament a Criminal Offence
Closed
86 signatures
What the petition asks
Contempt of Parliament needs to be made a criminal offence, punishable by a substantial fine or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the contempt committed. The House needs to use its penal jurisdiction more assertively given how serious the interference with parliamentary function has been.
Occasionally Members of Parliament as well as non-Members have been found in contempt of parliament, for example by refusing to appear before a Select Committee or for failing to publish legal advice in full.
Beyond admonishment, contempt of parliament rarely appears to have any consequences, even when it leads to severe disruption of parliamentary business.
In recent years, the House has been at increasing risk of improper obstruction and weakening of its functions. This needs to change.
Beyond admonishment, contempt of parliament rarely appears to have any consequences, even when it leads to severe disruption of parliamentary business.
In recent years, the House has been at increasing risk of improper obstruction and weakening of its functions. This needs to change.
Timeline
| 28 Sep 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 28 Mar 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
86
Status
Closed
Department
Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
Opened
28 Sep 2020
Closed
28 Mar 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.