Britain House of Lords
FILE-King Charles III reads the King's Speech, as Queen Camilla sits beside him during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London, Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
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Britain’s House of Lords is facing scrutiny as an indirect result of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Peter Mandelson quit the Lords over his friendship with Epstein. The episode has emboldened critics who say the unelected house is antiquated, undemocratic and far too slow at punishing bad behavior by its members. Supporters say it plays a vital role by reviewing and amending bills approved by the elected House of Commons. Successive governments have pledged reform but struggled to deliver. The Labour government is in the process of ejecting the final hereditary aristocrats from the chamber and is facing calls to go further and tighten up scrutiny of appointees.
