It would not be opened if the last possible date for a general election is within six weeks, or if the MP's seat was already vacant (ie, if an MP resigns). If 10% of the electorat

A British lawmaker on Thursday won his appeal against a prison sentence for punching one of his constituents, though he still faces the prospect of being ousted from parliament and triggering an electoral test for the governing Labour Party.

Former Labour MP Mike Amesburys sentence for assault was suspended after an appeal on February 27. The politician had been accused of punching a constituent last year. The Runcorn and Helsby MP pleaded guilty in court in January.