A NORTH-East MP has criticised colleagues for rejecting radical plans to ‘recall’ misbehaving MPs – warning voters will not accept it.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman broke ranks by backing moves to give the public – rather than a committee of MPs – the sole right to decide if errant MPs should face re-election.

The plan would have triggered a referendum if five per cent of voters in a constituency sign a “notice of intent to recall” and 20 per cent then sign a “recall petition”.

But the amendment was heavily defeated in the Commons, when most Labour MPs and a narrow majority of Conservatives rejected it, on a free vote.

As a result, there will be a by-election only if an MP is found guilty of “serious wrongdoing” by the Commons standards committee and ten per cent of constituents then sign a petition.

‘Wrongdoing’ is defined as a prison sentence of more than 12 month, or being banned from the Commons for more than 21 days – although the Bill is still under discussion.

During the debate, Kevan Jones, the North Durham MP, led Labour protests that the rebel plans, put forward by a Conservative backbencher, would hand huge power to rich individuals.

Mr Jones admitted it was “a dangerous thing” to oppose radical recall measures, telling MPs: “It is a bit like being accused of being a witch.”

But he suggested recall “for any reason” would have targeted a former West Yorkshire MP who received threats after speaking out against “forced marriages, trafficking and the abuse of white girls”.

And he said: “It is a rich man’s charter to pick off anyone who has views at odds with their own.”

But Ms Chapman, speaking after the debate, said: “Voters are no longer content to send their representatives off to Westminster for five years unconditionally.

“It’s like the expenses scandal. It was only when we had no alternative that the system was changed and we introduced more transparency – and we are better off for that.

“Some people in both the Labour party and other parties are cautious when I believe we must embrace this change, rather than be dragged into this new reality.”

Dave Anderson (Blaydon) and Hugh Bayley (York Central) voted with Ms Chapman, but other Labour MPs from the region rejected the radical option.

James Wharton (Stockton South) and William Hague (Richmond) were among Conservatives who voted against the rebel amendment, put forward by Tory Zac Goldsmith.