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The court’s ruling clarified that it does not possess the power to influence parliamentary membership or remove an MP directly. Instead, the decision to expel Ward rests solely with Parliament, emphasizing the primacy of elected representatives in determining their membership, even in cases involving criminal convictions.
Procedural Fairness and Legal and Democratic Norms
The judiciary's decision to allow the expulsion vote was also based on procedural fairness. The court determined that Ward had been afforded proper procedural rights throughout his legal process and that expulsion would not interfere with his sentencing process. The judges’ reasoning reflected the view that the expulsion aligns with democratic principles and accountability, rather than undermining them.