LONDON The British government unveiled its `anti sleaze' consultation paper on tackling corruption yesterday proposing that MPs who accept bribes could be jailed for seven years, Rachel Borrill reports.
Although the British Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, admitted in the House of Commons that he would have liked the "antisleaze" law to be retrospective, which could have led to several former Tory MPs being prosecuted, he acknowledged that it would be unparliamentary.
Under the plan, MPs will be subject to the criminal law for bribery and corruption for the first time. It may also be extended to include judges and local councillors.
The Shadow Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard, announced the Tories would support the measures if they agreed with the proposals.
The Nolan Committee, which was established by the then Prime Minister, Mr John Major, to examine standards in public life, also welcomed the plans.