Is it possible for Mandelson to be excluded from the House of Lords?
The House, the upper chamber of the UK's parliament, is abuzz with speculation as former Labour minister Lord Peter Mandelson is expected to return to the UK. His return has sparked debates about party discipline, his potential status, and the possibility of a complaint against him.
Lord Mandelson's tenure in the House could be marked by party discipline, a term that describes colleagues voting according to the leader's agenda. However, his return is not without controversy, as some Labour peers have voiced concerns about his potential reinstatement.
If Lord Mandelson applies to return to the upper chamber, the decision on his status rests with Lord Roy Kennedy, the government's chief whip in the House. Yet, veteran Labour peer Lord Foulkes has stated that he does not think Lord Mandelson would retain the whip if he returns.
The question of Lord Mandelson's potential expulsion from the House arises if he were to breach the Lords' code of conduct. So far, no one has submitted a motion to remove him, and no one has ever been expelled from the House in this way. However, if a complaint is made against him, the standards commissioner would assess whether there is a case to investigate.
The most recent controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson stems from his sacking from his Washington-based job last week due to new revelations about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This incident has sparked calls for him to be stripped of the party whip and banned from parliament's upper chamber. Many Labour figures, including Baroness Harriet Harman, support this stance.
Baroness Harman has also suggested that if Lord Mandelson applies to return, he should undergo "new vetting." Giving up membership of the House is separate from giving up a peerage, which is almost impossible to rescind.
It's important to note that Lord Mandelson is not currently under investigation. Peers on leave must give three months' notice to House authorities to apply to return to the House. If Lord Mandelson is found to have broken the House's code of conduct, he could face expulsion or temporary suspension.
In the past, several Labour MPs have been suspended from their parliamentary party (stripped of the whip) over disagreements with the government on issues like welfare cuts and the two-child benefit cap. Former Labour peer Nazir Ahmed was the first to be recommended for expulsion in 2020 but resigned before the vote. John McDonnell and Rachel Maskell are among former Labour MPs now sitting as independents due to being suspended from their parliamentary party.
Lord Maginnis was suspended for 18 months in December 2020 for breaking the code of conduct. The decision on Lord Mandelson's status in the House will only be decided if and when he applies to return.
The return of Lord Mandelson to the House promises to be a significant event, with many Labour figures expressing strong opinions on the matter. As the situation develops, the public will be closely watching to see how the House handles this controversial figure.
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