Bev Turner says she is concerned about a new rule in Parliament that sees MPs barred if they are arrested on suspicion of a serious offence.
The ruling came about despite a Government recommendation calling for MPs to only face a ban if they are charged with a violent or sexual offence.
Speaking on GB News, Bev said the ruling could set a dangerous precedent given the volume of wrongful allegations.
She told Kulveer Ranger, a member of the House of Lords, he should be “scared” about the possible ramifications.
Bev Turner is fearful about the new ruling
GB NEWS
“You are commonly arrested if it’s an allegation of sexual assault”, she said.
“It means the police can then look at your tech, your disclosure. They can’t look at your technological devices unless they arrest you.
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“If somebody makes an allegation, you are arrested, so the police then have the power to look at your technology.
“The bar for sexual offences is so very low, that’s why the police will want to look at what people have on their technology.”
GB News Political Commentator Nigel Nelson waded in on the discussion to add the conviction rate is “very low” and a lot of people “get off”.
He says that as a result, the ruling has been “changed slightly so you believe the victim”.
The ruling prompted lively discussion on GB News
GB NEWS
Bev was quick to intervene and correct Nelson, saying the ‘victim’ should instead be branded the “complainant”.
“We automatically say victim because we assume that they aren’t false allegations.”
Turning to Ranger, she said: “You should be scared today.”
MPs voted 170 to 169, majority one, in favour of a proposal from Liberal Democrat Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) that saw the threshold being amended.
The division list showed eight Conservative MPs voted in favour of the amendment, including former prime minister Theresa May, while Natalie Elphicke – who defected to Labour from the Tories last week – also supported it.
MPs have previously only been prevented from attending the parliamentary estate by voluntary arrangements with their own party whips under such circumstances.
Chamberlain said: “It is not about the guilt or innocence of any individual MP, but about safeguarding. It’s really important that Parliament is just as safe as any other workplace and that everyone is held to account by similar rules.”
Labour former minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “I’m delighted. This is long overdue.
“Parliament should be no different from any other workplace.”