Gordon Brown has been urged to change laws which prevent people with mental illness sitting as MPs.
Labour's Lynne Jones (Birmingham Selly Oak) said the law meant any MP who suffered a serious mental health condition could be disqualified from office.
The Prime Minister said ministers were giving "careful consideration" to the matter.
DUP MP Iris Robinson (Strangford), who is quitting politics in the wake of lurid allegations about her sex life and financial dealings, has been receiving acute psychiatric treatment in Belfast.
Ms Jones said: "This week has seen the resignation of a Member of this House with mental illness a factor.
"I make no comment about individual cases but, as the law stands, any Member of this House who suffers a bout of serious mental illness can be automatically disqualified from office, no matter what the prospects of recovery.
"This is wrong and would never be tolerated for a physical illness, no matter how debilitating."
She urged Mr Brown to change the Constitutional Reform Bill to change the law, as recommended by the Speaker's Conference which reported this week.
The Prime Minister said Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Health Secretary Andy Burnham were "giving careful consideration as to the appropriate way forward".
Friday, January 15, 2010
UK government reconsiders law that disqualifies someone with mental illness from being an MP
From the UK Press Association:
