Apologies by MPs to the House of Commons since 1979

This list attempts to capture all instances where an apology has been made on the floor of the House of Commons since 1979.

There are numerous reasons why an MP might apologise to the House. Where an individual has been the subject of an investigation and report by the Committee on Standards (or its predecessors), the Committee may recommend that an apology be made to the House. Instances where the Committee recommends that the Member apologises to the House in writing, through the Committee, are not included in this list.

Other examples include apologies made for disorderly conduct or for the provision of inaccurate information during proceedings.

[Updated 17/11/2020 to include missing apologies by Dame Margaret Hodge on 11 December 2017 and Geoffrey Cox on 4 February 2016]

Committee on Standards

The Committee on Standards is appointed by the House of Commons to oversee the work of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. The Committee cannot take on complaints about MPs, these should be directed to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. The Committee on Standard’s webpage has Information about the complaint process on the conduct of an MP.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

The role of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is:

• to provide advice
• to investigate allegations that MPs have broken their Code of Conduct and its supporting rules
• to decide complaints from the parliamentary community about harassment, bullying or sexual harassment by MPs
• to keep the MPs’ Code of Conduct under review
• to keep the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and the three other Registers which the House requires.

The Code of Conduct and Guide to Rules

• The Code of Conduct together with The Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members| The Code of Conduct together with The Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members (PDF) HC 1882, 10 October 2019

Parliament: facts and figures

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This series of publications contains data on various subjects relating to Parliament and Government. Topics include legislation, MPs, select committees, debates, divisions and Parliamentary procedure.

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