Labour MP swears into Commons for second time after taking oath to King ‘under protest’ | Politics News

A Labour MP has been compelled to swear into the Commons for a second time after he failed to make use of the proper wording in his first try final week.

Clive Lewis, who represents Norwich South, had been threatened with authorized motion if he didn’t pledge allegiance to “King Charles’s heirs and successors” as required by regulation.

Swearing-in is the method by which MPs and members of the Home of Lords take an oath of allegiance to the Crown earlier than formally taking their seats in parliament.

Whereas members can both swear in utilizing a spiritual textual content or take a non-religious, solemn affirmation earlier than taking their seats in parliament, they have to accomplish that by pledging their loyalty to the King as specified by a regulation courting again to 1866.

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However Mr Lewis, who opposes the monarchy, stated in his first initiation: “I take this oath underneath protest and within the hope that sooner or later my fellow residents will democratically resolve to reside in a republic.

“Till that point I do solemnly, sincerely and actually declare and affirm that I shall be devoted and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, in line with regulation.”

On Tuesday Mr Lewis returned to the Commons to swear in for a second time after being warned by the Commons authorities that he confronted a tremendous of £500 and the prospect of shedding his seat if he failed to take action.

The Labour MP posted on X a letter he obtained from the Home of Commons Journal Workplace – which acts as a record-keeping service – which stated that his omission of the phrases “heirs and successors” meant there was “doubt” over whether or not his affirmation was “legitimate”.

On the second try he stated: “I used to be elected to parliament to symbolize my constituents and our nation to the very best of my potential to defend democracy and uphold human rights and sooner or later I hope all members of parliament shall be entitled to swear an oath of allegiance primarily based on these values.

“I do solemnly and sincerely and actually declare and affirm that I shall be devoted and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, in line with regulation.”

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Shortly after he swore in utilizing the proper wording, Mr Lewis posted on X: “After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles’ ‘heirs and successors’ final week, I’ve needed to take the oath once more with a view to sit within the Home of Commons.

“The vast majority of the general public are dedicated to democracy, and so I hope sooner or later MPs can swear an oath primarily based on these values.”

“If I had not re-sworn the oath, then primarily based on a regulation from 1866, I might be fined, subjected to authorized motion, and my seat ‘shall be vacated in the identical method as if (I) had been lifeless’,” he added.

“This could change, so MPs have the selection to swear allegiance to our constituents and democracy.”