MP calls for criminal record checks for parliamentarians

MPs and peers could be forced to submit to criminal record checks due to their level of access to young and vulnerable people, under proposals launched by a new MP.

Labour MP Jo White has suggested in-depth background checks made 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 checks are required when applying for jobs with high-levels of access to vulnerable people - such as a teacher, social worker or GP.

The checks let potential employers know if a candidate has a criminal record or is banned from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Some local authorities, like Hackney Councils, run DBS checks on elected officials. And DBS checks for elected councillors across the country are currently defined as "best practice" but are not mandatory.

The House of Lords Appointments Commission vets potential peers to "ensure the highest standards of propriety".

But prospective candidates for Parliament can stand for election despite having a criminal record or appearing on the child barred list or adult barred list - unless they have served a prison term over 12 months, convicted of corruption or are the subject of bankruptcy restrictions.

Outside of this political parties are responsible for carrying out their own vetting to ensure they select the right candidates.

White's campaign has gained quiet support across party lines.

An Early Day Motion - a call for a debate in the House of Commons for which no day has been fixed - tabled by White calling for DBS checks on MPs and peers has been backed by 14 MPs from Labour, Lib Dems as well as independents.

The motion was also signed by all four Green Party MPs, including co-leader Carla Denyer who called running DBS check on MPs "an absolute no brainer".

Denyer voluntarily paid for her own enhanced DBS checks after needing them for volunteer roles before her time as an MP.

She described them as a "sensible protection to safeguard constituents".

White has passed her proposals to the newly formed Modernisation Committee, which is carrying out a major review of Commons standards and working practices.

However, there are concerns about who would operate such a scheme, between political parties and Parliament itself, and how the information would be used.

The committee said it would not be commenting on submissions until it had time to fully consider all options.

But in October, Commons Leader Lucy Powell, who heads the committee, said there was "much to do" to repair the "tarnished" reputation of Parliament.

The committee is due to publish an initial report on the submissions in the new year.