Vote on plans to bar MPs accused of sexual or violent offences delayed

Staff will be left at risk if proposals to ban members under police investigation from Westminster estate dropped, unions say

Long-awaited plans to bar MPs and peers accused of sexual or violent offences from Westminster will be “kicked into the long grass”, it is feared, as plans to hold a vote on the proposals have been delayed.

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt confirmed MPs will debate whether MPs should be barred from entering the parliamentary estate once they are subject to police investigation on Monday, but there will not be a vote.

Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html