House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001

The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 (c. 13) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Background

Previously clergy were disqualified to sit in the House of Commons due to the (41 Geo. 3. (U.K.) c. 63) and section 10 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.

The bill was a reaction to the selection of David Cairns, a laicised Catholic priest, as the Labour candidate for the safe seat of Greenock and Inverclyde. Member of Parliament Siobhain McDonagh had previously introduced similar legislation in 1999, but it had run out of parliamentary time.

Criticism The legislation was criticised by Conservative shadow minister Ann Widdecombe for, in her view, leading to conflict between "God and Caesar.

House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001

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