• GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip
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    1 year ago

    Not a uk citizen here. Am I understanding this correctly that even if he is found guilty of rape, but is not sentenced to more than a year of prison, and/or has the ability to object to his sentence, he can remain in office? What the fuck.

    • Noit@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      The rule of a 12 month sentence before a recall petition can be triggered is regardless of crime, it’s not a specific “get away with rape” clause. In fact if he is found guilty it’s very unlikely he’d get such a short sentence, the 12 months is more to stop an MP losing their job over not paying their council tax, or too many speeding tickets.

      The big problem is our rape conviction rates are a shameful embarrassment so by the stats of it, if he did commit the crime he’s incredibly unlikely to be sentenced. And even if he was, it’s unlikely to be before there’s a general election.