It’s undoubtedly a historic time for parliament. As the UK prepares to break away from the EU after almost five decades as partners, barely a week goes by in Westminster without a landmark moment.
But Peterborough MP Fiona Onasanya could today make Westminster history for a completely different reason – by becoming the first parliamentarian to cast a vote while wearing an electronic police tag.
Onasanya – now an independent MP after being expelled from Labour in January – was released from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey on Tuesday morning after serving a month behind bars.
The 35-year-old was sentenced to three months at the Old Bailey after jurors heard she had lied to avoid a speeding charge, telling officials it was a friend of her brother – who was actually in Russia at the time – who had been driving her car when it was clocked going 11 miles over the speed limit.
It has been widely reported that Onasanya – who is appealing her conviction – has agreed to wear an electronic ankle tag as part of her early release scheme.
If she attends parliament today to take part in a series of key Brexit votes, she would become the first MP to walk through the Commons voting lobbies while tagged.
But this could be complicated if the MP is also under a curfew, as part of the conditions of her release, as the vote is not expected to begin until 7pm.
Labour is among those calling for the resignation of the MP, who was elected for the party in the 2017 general election.
Under parliamentary rules, only MPs who receive a jail sentence of 12 months or more are automatically dismissed from the Commons. But Onasanya’s seat is still not safe – a by-election could be triggered if a recall petition is signed by 10% of the electorate in her constituency.
However, this cannot begin until her appeal against conviction ends.
Onasanya’s office has yet to respond to queries about whether she would attend parliament on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, it came to light on Tuesday that police in Cambridgeshire and South Yorkshire were investigating “reports of malicious communications” sent to Onasanya.
In a statement, the MP’s communications officer Matt Turner said: “Many of these emails and letters have a disgusting racial element to them.
“This despicable and threatening behaviour is unacceptable and we welcome an investigation.”
