Pale Rider
Well-Known Member
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has been branded a thief by an MP using parliamentary privilege.
Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald told the House of Commons Cleveland PCC Andy Smith was sacked by a previous employer for theft.
The privilege device means McDonald cannot be sued for libel should the allegation be false.
Smith denies the allegation, which is based on the time he worked for Safeway supermarkets about 20 years ago.
It may be quite difficult to get to the bottom of this, given that I suspect there was never a criminal conviction, time has passed, and Safeway is no longer with us, so their records likely no longer exist.
Labour MP McDonald thinks Tory PCC Smith should resign, although irrespective of party politics, I tend to agree with McDonald's contention that a thief, even an unconvicted one, is not a suitable candidate for a job as a PCC.
Any MP should be able to speak without fear on matters of genuine public interest, although I've always thought we are placing a great deal of trust in our MPs not to misuse their privilege.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58637507
Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald told the House of Commons Cleveland PCC Andy Smith was sacked by a previous employer for theft.
The privilege device means McDonald cannot be sued for libel should the allegation be false.
Smith denies the allegation, which is based on the time he worked for Safeway supermarkets about 20 years ago.
It may be quite difficult to get to the bottom of this, given that I suspect there was never a criminal conviction, time has passed, and Safeway is no longer with us, so their records likely no longer exist.
Labour MP McDonald thinks Tory PCC Smith should resign, although irrespective of party politics, I tend to agree with McDonald's contention that a thief, even an unconvicted one, is not a suitable candidate for a job as a PCC.
Any MP should be able to speak without fear on matters of genuine public interest, although I've always thought we are placing a great deal of trust in our MPs not to misuse their privilege.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58637507