Clause 6 - “Relevant offence”

Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill – in the House of Commons at 6:00 pm on 3 November 2020.

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Votes in this debate

  • Division number 157
    A majority of MPs voted to apply restrictions on the prosecution of members of the armed forces in relation to their conduct on overseas deployment even where prosecution is required by an international treaty.

Amendment proposed: 32, page 4, line 13, at end insert—

‘(3A) A service offence is not a “relevant offence” if it is an offence whose prosecution is required under the United Kingdom’s international treaty obligations.’.—(Stewart Malcolm McDonald.)

This amendment would exclude the prosecution of serious international crimes (such as torture, genocide, crimes against humanity, and certain war crimes) from the limitations otherwise imposed by the Bill.

Question put, That the amendment be made.

Division number 157 Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill — Clause 6 — “Relevant offence” — Prosecution Required Under International Treaty Obligations

A majority of MPs voted to apply restrictions on the prosecution of members of the armed forces in relation to their conduct on overseas deployment even where prosecution is required by an international treaty.

Aye: 257 MPs

No: 337 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Absent: 52 MPs

Absent: A-Z by last name

The House divided: Ayes 262, Noes 335.

Question accordingly negatived.

The list of Members currently certified as eligible for a proxy vote, and of the Members nominated as their proxy, is published at the end of today’s debates.