 | 'While it is both unrealistic and unfair to expect our elected representatives to live blameless lives, the fact remains that this man has sullied the reputation of the fledgling Scottish Parliament. His conduct embodied the caricature of the belligerent drunken Scotsman that the executive is so keen to erase. He has also betrayed the trust of his constituents.' Herald Editorial, 2 nd September 2005. |  |
Labour peer and MSP Mike Watson has pleaded guilty to deliberately starting a fire and endangering life at an Edinburgh hotel last year.
The Glasgow Cathcart MSP said he intended to resign from the Scottish Parliament, but the Lib Dems and the SNP have also called for him to be stripped of his peerage.
BBC Scotland Political Editor Brian Taylor looks at the political implications of Watson's conviction and what could happen to him now.
Q: Is a politician who is convicted in court automatically disqualified from serving in parliament?
No. It has to be a serious offence, carrying a prison sentence of 12 months or more. Suspended sentences don't count. The rules are the same for the Commons and the Scottish Parliament.
Q: Can other members of parliament vote to kick them out?
No. On investigation of a complaint, parliamentary authorities may apply restrictions or suspend a member. But they are elected by the people, not their fellow MP/MSPs. Of course, pressure can be applied upon a member to resign.
Q: What about the House of Lords?
The rules here are different. Members are appointed to the Lords by the Queen: they are not elected. A peerage is created by Letters Patent and can only be taken away by an act of parliament, carried through both the Commons and the Lords.
Q: Has this happened?
The last time this actually happened was in 1917 under the Titles Deprivation Act, an act to deprive Enemy Peers and Princes of British Dignities and Titles. This provided for peers who fought against the Crown in the First World War and thus were guilty of treason to be deprived of their titles.
Q: So convicted peers can continue to draw their salaries?
They only get the money - a £192 daily attendance allowance - if they turn up for debates.
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