In the comments zone of Mick’s post on the offence of impersonating a Member of Parliament after the 12th April dissolution of Parliament Mark’s noted Michelle Gildernew’s 13th April statement. Interestingly, whilst later on the same day the Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister had already abandoned the pretence of being an MP there’s a 16th April statement from the NI deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, repeating the offence.Background via a parliamentary news release [12th April]
What does dissolution mean for MPs?
When Parliament is dissolved every seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant. MPs lose all the privileges associated with being a Member of Parliament.
They are allowed access to Parliament for just a few days to remove papers and equipment from their offices. But all MPs services and facilities are closed at 5pm on the day of dissolution.
Until a new Parliament is elected, MPs do not exist. Those who want to be re-elected must stand again as candidates.