Anti-monarchy campaigners have called for a change in the law to allow MPs a choice of parliamentary oath. The call comes after Labour MP Clive Lewis was told he must retake the oath after omitting reference to the monarch's heirs and successors last week.
It is understood this may be the first recorded instance of an MP being told to retake their oath.
Campaigners have previously called the oath dishonest and undemocratic, as it forces MPs who oppose the monarchy to lie in order to take their seats.
Last week Clive Lewis made his objection to the oath clear, before reading out the words excluding the allegiance to heirs and successors, which include Prince Andrew.
The need to include god in the oath was made optional more than 130 years ago.
Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today:
"Millions of people in the UK support the abolition of the monarchy. Whether they become MPs, police officers or join the armed services, their allegiance will always be to their country and fellow citizens, not an unelected head of state."
"The oath is particularly perverse in parliament, where the right to take your seat should come only from the votes cast on election day. To be told you must swear allegiance to a monarch is outdated nonsense that flies in the face of freedom of expression."
"The vast majority of people in the UK support democracy and free speech. The slightly hysterical reaction to Clive's oath taking last week was confined to a small minority on the right."
"Clearly it's time to introduce a choice, where MPs can choose to swear their allegiance either to the king or to their country and constituents. This should not be a controversial notion in a democratic society."
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