Manor of Northstead

The office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead is a sinecure that is used by the British Parliament to allow MPs the resignation.

Term

The Manor of Northstead was a good with fields and farms in the area of Scalby in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Around 1600 the manor was forfeited, only lived on the territory a shepherd. It is now one of Scarborough.

The crown ordered a royal overseer and Vogt, who was responsible for the observance of law and order in the area. For a long time it involves an office with no official duties for the incumbent who receives a marginal fee.

Today's function

Following a decision of the lower house, built in 1626 MPs can not resign. This decision resulted from a time, could be elected as an MP even against their will. On the other hand, a deputy after the Act of Settlement resign from parliament if he accepts a paid public office, because then there are concerns about its independence.

A deputy who wants to resign from the House of Commons, " applying " to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead or alternatively of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds. He is then appointed and retains the office until the next appropriate action. Both of the aforementioned offices are "busy" in the exchange.

Current holder of the office is the Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland