Nigerian-born British MP, Fiona Onasanya, has become the first ever MP to be removed from office following a recall petition.
Peterborough City Council said in a statement on Tuesday after recall petition votes were counted: “19,261 people signed the Peterborough parliamentary seat recall petition – 27.64 per cent of the number of people eligible to sign. The petition is successful and the Peterborough seat is now vacant.”
Onasanya was in January jailed for three months after a re-trial at the Old Bailey for lying to the police to avoid a speeding ticket.
She was released after serving less than a month in jail.
Petitions can be triggered in the event that an MP is convicted of an offence in the UK and handed a custodial sentence, including a suspended sentence.
Onasanya, a former Labour Party member, has repeatedly denied culpability. She is still eligible to stand in the by-election which is expected to take place in early June.
The 35-year-old was first elected in 2017.
