A recall petition is the process by which an MP can lose their seat in the House of Commons.
A recall petition may be triggered in the UK Parliamentary constituency of Runcorn and Helsby, after MP Mike Amesbury was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to assault.
An MP being convicted of an offence and receiving a custodial sentence (including suspended) automatically triggers a recall petition.
A petition is open for six weeks, and if at least 10% of voters in the constituency sign it, the MP loses their seat and a by-election is triggered.
However, a recall petition only opens when the Speaker of the House of Commons notifies a Petition Officer. This would not be expected until after the appeal period, and when any appeals have been heard.
Should a recall petition be triggered further information will be shared via the Council through its usual channels, including local media outlets.
For more information on the recall petition process, please visit the Electoral Commission website.