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In a tense and closely contested vote, Members of Parliament have decided that there should be no safe haven for suspected Commons sex offenders. The vote, which saw former Prime Minister Theresa May join forces with Opposition MPs, defied Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt’s proposal to only bar MPs accused of serious sex or violent offenses from Parliament once they are charged.

The decision sparked outrage among many Opposition MPs, as the majority of MPs in favor of delaying the ban until a charge were Conservatives, including several Cabinet ministers. This move could potentially leave these MPs vulnerable to attacks from their political opponents in the upcoming general election for appearing lenient on suspected sex offenders.

The timing of the vote coincided with renewed controversy surrounding former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke, who was recently convicted of sex offenses. His ex-wife, who had switched allegiance from the Conservatives to Labour, was accused of lobbying on his behalf, a claim she vehemently denied.

Despite missing a crucial meeting, Ms. Elphicke voted with her new party for the ban, which would have likely impacted her ex-husband. Following the vote, supporters of the arrest ban celebrated the outcome, while critics labeled it a “power grab.”

This historic decision signifies a step towards better protection for accusers, aligning the Commons with other workplaces. However, there is still progress to be made in updating Parliament’s working practices and grievance procedures to meet modern standards.