Member

There is a further issue. I refer to the noble Lord convicted following trial in the United States of America. Subsequent to that conviction, he was the recipient of a presidential pardon, which, under United States law, expunged the conviction. What mechanism would there be to bring that noble Lord back if the initial conviction had the effect of removing him from this House? It is not entirely implausible. What about the Post Office Horizon scandal? What if noble Lords had been the subject of conviction in the context of that scandal, and then the subject of the statutory pardon granted to all those involved? These are complex and difficult issues. I respectfully suggest that, at present, they can properly be handled by a Conduct Committee that has been able since 2015 to make recommendations to this House about suspension or expulsion.