What's happened
Labour MP Clive Lewis was forced to reswear his oath of allegiance to the king after protesting against the monarchy during his initial swearing-in ceremony. The act of defiance led to potential legal consequences and highlighted the ongoing debate around the monarchy in British politics.
Why it matters
Clive Lewis's protest against pledging allegiance to the king has sparked a conversation about the role of the monarchy in modern British society. The incident raises questions about the relevance of traditional oaths of allegiance and the freedom of expression for elected officials.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlighted Lewis's return to parliament to retake the oath, emphasizing his commitment to democratic values. Sky News focused on the legal implications Lewis faced for not using the correct wording in his initial swearing-in. The Mirror covered Lewis's protest against the monarchy during his swearing-in ceremony. BBC News reported on SDLP leader Colum Eastwood's dismissal of the oath of allegiance as an 'empty formula.'
How we got here
In the UK, MPs are required by law to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before officially taking their seats in parliament. Failure to do so can result in legal action and potential consequences for their parliamentary status. The issue of pledging allegiance to the monarchy has been a longstanding tradition in British politics.
Common question
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Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent to the British throne as the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II. He has been Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay since 1952, and he is the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in British history.
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Clive Anthony Lewis is a British Labour politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Norwich South since winning the seat at the 2015 general election. Lewis was a candidate for Leader of the Labour Party in the 2020 leadership election.