House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015

The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that provides for the expulsion and suspension of members of the House of Lords. Previously, there was no legal mechanism to remove a Lord unless they were disqualified under existing law, such as bankruptcy or conviction of a serious crime carrying a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year.

The Act allows for:

• Expulsion: The House of Lords can expel a member by a resolution passed by a simple majority. This power can be used in cases of serious misconduct.
• Suspension: The House can suspend a member for a specified period.
• Leave of Absence: The Act formalizes the process of Lords taking leave of absence, which can be indefinite. Taking leave of absence removes the Lord’s entitlement to attend sittings of the House and receive a writ of summons.

The Act was a response to various concerns about the behavior of some members of the House of Lords and the lack of effective mechanisms for addressing misconduct. It aims to enhance the accountability and integrity of the House. The Act followed years of debate and recommendations for reform of the House of Lords membership.