Members of Parliament should be subject to background checks, Labour MP says

Members of Parliament should be subject to background checks to make everyone feel safer, a Labour MP has said.

Jo White said schools and care homes which are visited by MPs and peers would have “greater confidence” if disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks were conducted.

DBS checks are required for certain jobs or voluntary roles, including those that involve working with children.

Commons Leader Lucy Powell said a balance needs to be struck to ensure politicians are able to represent their constituents “freely and openly”.

During business questions, the MP for Bassetlaw said: “I’ve tabled an early day motion calling for disclosure and barring service checks on all members in both Houses.

“This would make us all feel safer in the corridors of power.

“But more importantly give the institutions we visit, such as care homes and schools, much greater confidence in who they are letting through their doors.

“My submission to the Modernisation Committee also makes this proposal.

“Would the Leader of the House support such proposals?”

Ms Powell replied: “I absolutely understand her motivation to make sure that the House of Commons, and indeed wider Parliament, is a safe place for people to work and that our constituents and others can feel safe in their interactions with us.

“Which is why we have developed over recent years more robust systems around that and we are looking further at these issues.

“But I do say gently to (Ms White) that I think we do need to strike a balance here to ensure we can actually represent our constituents freely and openly as well.”