The vicar of Peterborough is calling on disgraced MP Fiona Onasanya, who was jailed for repeatedly lying about a speeding offence, to step down.
It comes as the first recall petition in England opened yesterday, designed to determine whether a by-election needs to be called for the Peterborough MP's seat.
Onasanya, 35, served 28 days of a three-month prison sentence after being convicted of perverting the course of justice in January and has continued to receive her £77,379 salary.
The vicar of Peterborough, the Rev Canon Ian Black (right, has called for the MP (left MP Fiona Onasanya outside her home in Peterborough yesterday) to go, saying 'it's time', after the 35-year-old MP released a video - recorded in front of an image of the New York City skyline - pleading her innocence
A recall petition for voters in Peterborough opened yesterday and her constituents will have six weeks to sign before it closes at 5pm on May 1 - and should it attract the signatures of 10 per cent of eligible voters - about 7,000 people - she will be forced out and a by-election called.
Now, the vicar of Peterborough, the Rev Canon Ian Black, has called for the MP to go, saying 'it's time', after the 35-year-old MP released a video - recorded in front of an image of the New York City skyline - pleading her innocence.
He told The Times: 'I found the video bizarre. She is a person of faith and she had always struck me as being someone of integrity and of deep interest in this constituency, so the whole thing is just strange.
'I think she is someone going through a personal turmoil and for that she does have my profound sympathy and prayers, but I think her days as our MP should come to an end.'
Bedford Hall in Thorney, Peterborough, where voters are being given the opportunity to sign a petition to force a by-election following the conviction of local MP Fiona Onasanya for lying about a speeding offence
It is the first recall petition in England, designed to determine whether acby-election needs to be called for the Peterborough MP's seat
Yesterday Onasanya posted a video in which she pleaded with voters to let her continue as their representative in Parliament.
In the clip, recorded in front of an image of a city skyline, she claims she is innocent of perverting the course of justice.
She said the media had only reported the prosecution's case - but then provided no details to support her claim she had not colluded with her brother.
Is this new?
Yes. The Recall of MPs Act 2015 came into force on 4 March 2016.
How can a recall petition be triggered?
The petition is opened automatically if an MP:
is convicted of an offence and receives a custodial sentence (including a suspended sentence) of more than 12 months is barred from the House of Commons for 10 sitting days or 14 calendar days or is convicted of providing false or misleading information for allowance claims under the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009.What happens now?
Once a Petition Officer has opened a recall petition, it will be open for signing for six weeks.
If at least 10 per cent of the electorate in the constituency signs the petition, the MP will lose their seat and a by-election will be
