MPs facing criminal charges must not hide behind Parliamentary privilege

7.06.07pm GMT Sat 6th Feb 2010

MPs must be subject to the law like anyone else.

"We do not have immunity from prosecution for Parliamentarians in this country," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House.

Commenting on reports that Parliamentary privilege may be used by the lawyers of parliamentarians facing criminal charges, David Heath said:

"There should be no question of MPs or peers charged with serious criminal offences sheltering behind Parliamentary privilege.

"We do not have immunity from prosecution for Parliamentarians in this country. Parliamentary privilege exists purely to ensure we can do our job properly, not to protect us from the law.

"If there is any question about whether Parliamentary privilege gives protection against prosecution for fraud, then Parliament should make it very clear by passing a resolution to say that it does not."