Democracy cannot function if the public loses faith in politicians, and that faith will be lost if politicians abuse their power with impunity. This book analyses the criminal offence of misconduct in office, and explains how it should be used, along with other measures, to hold politicians to account for abuse of their position.

Jeremy Horder, FBA, is Professor of Criminal Law at the London School of Economics. He was Edmund Davies Professor of Criminal Law at King's College London (2010-2013), a Law Commissioner for England and Wales (2005-2010), and Fellow and Tutor in Law at Worcester College, Oxford (1989-2005).

• Introduction


• 1: Criminal Misconduct and the Constitution


• 2: The Limits of Criminal Misconduct


• 3: Republican Foundations: Holding Officials to Account in Criminal Law


• 4: MPs' Criminal Liability: Tackling Personal Corruption


• 5: UK Political Corruption and the Role of the Criminal Law