It’s déjà vu in the Commons today as swearing in continues. Clive “On Your Knees B*tch” Lewis has had to do it all over again. His first protest oath didn’t cut the mustard…

Last week he said: “I take this oath under protest, and in the hope that one day my fellow citizens will democratically decide to live in a republic…”

And now: “I was elected to Parliament to represent my constituents and our country to the best of my ability to defend democracy and uphold human rights and one day I hope all members of Parliament will be entitled to swear an oath of allegiance based on those values.”

He better hope this one works…

UPDATE: The first one was not legally valid because Lewis didn’t mention the King’s “heirs and successors”. Read the full letter below explaining the problem:

“Dear Mr Lewis

I understand you omitted the words “his heirs and successors” from the affirmation you made earlier today. I thought I should warn you that consequently there is doubt about whether the manner in which you made the affirmation is legally valid.

The Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866 prescribes that:

if any member of the House of Commons votes as such in the said House, or sits during any debate after the Speaker has been chosen, without having made and subscribed the oath hereby appointed, he shall be subject to a like penalty [of £500] for every such offence, and in addition to such penalty his seat shall be vacated in the same manner as if he were dead.

There is accordingly a risk that someone could bring a legal action. It would ultimately be for the courts to decide, but it could result in your losing your seat. The safest course would be to remake the affirmation in the words prescribed by law.”