Eric Joyce Update.

Over the course of the afternoon it has emerged that the mysterious "Parliamentary Authorities" have banned Eric Joyce from purchasing alcohol from any premise on the "Parliamentary Estate" which practical terms means the Houses of Parliament. However technically would extend to Portcullis House where MP's offices or based. It would also apply to any land or building within the UK which is designated as "Parliament."

After roughly 18 hours in a police cell no decision on whether to charge or release Mr Joyce has been made public.

The use of the mysterious term "Parliamentary Authorities" is intended to promote discussion about the complex legal principle known as "Parliamentary Privilege." Considered part of the UK Constitution and dating back to the last UK civil war this essentially says that Members of the House of Commons may only be detained by agents of the Crown with the prior consent of the House of Commons. Agents of the Crown are defined by anyone who swears allegiance to the Crown so UK military, UK Police or the UK Courts. I would say this also includes any member of the Church of England but that would be contentious.

I've not been down to the Parliamentary archive to check the recent orders but I suspect that the House of Commons have devolved decisions on Parliamentary Privilege to the Speaker of the House who in turn has devolved decisions on emergency cases to the Sarjent at Arms who is on duty in the Commons security office. Although I'm not certain I suspect that before lifting Parliamentary Privilege in order to allow the police to even approach Mr Joyce the Commons security team should have made some effort to either detain him or eject him from the premises.

Therefore in light of what happened to the police officers I would expect that the names of the security staff who initially tackled Mr Joyce and the injuries they sustained are made public forthwith.

Unless that it is forthcoming I would say that having been dubbed "The UK's most expensive MP" during the expenses scandal Mr Joyce can expect £96,000 compensation from the police over his unlawful arrest and maximum 36 hours unlawful detention.


17:55 on 15/3/13.