Dates confirmed for petition which could trigger by-election in Northants
A recall petition will be held after Peter Bone was suspended
A petition which could trigger a by-election in Northamptonshire will start this month.
Last week the House of Commons approved a six-week suspension for Wellingborough MP Peter Bone after Parliament’s Independent Expert Panel upheld counts of bullying and sexual misconduct against him relating to a staff member.
A recall petition will be held which will trigger a by-election if signed by 10% of voters in his Northamptonshire constituency.
North Northamptonshire Council confirmed on Thursday that the petition will open on November 8 and close on December 19.
Calls to step down from Labour
Labour has called on former Tory MP Peter Bone to stand down immediately and spare constituents a recall petition process in order to pave the way for a by-election in his seat.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the suspended Wellingborough MP should “recognise the seriousness of this” after an independent investigation found he had engaged in bullying and sexual misconduct.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted on Thursday any electoral test would be “difficult” when asked about the prospect of a vote.
But his deputy Oliver Dowden denied that the Tories were admitting defeat in a contest where they would be defending a majority of 18,500.