Accountability, Impeachment and the Constitution

Chris Monaghan is a principal lecturer in law at the University of Worcester and holds a PhD from the Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London. He has published widely on aspects of public law.

• Table of cases Table of primary legislation Preface 1 Introduction PART ONEFoundations and use of impeachment 2 The history and politics of impeachment 3 Comparative case study I: United States 4 Comparative case study II: Denmark PART TWOUK Constitution and accountability 5 Executive accountability in the United Kingdom 6 The existing political accountability mechanisms PART THREEA case for impeachment 7 A justification for a possible role for impeachment within the UK system 8 Reinvigorating impeachment Contents9 Re-engineering the British Constitution Bibliography Index

"At a time when the ‘good chaps theory of government’ seems to be failing British democracy, Chris Monaghan's Accountability, Impeachment and the Constitution charts a radical new reform agenda. Evidence-based, provocative and incredibly timely... this is the book that could really shape the future of British politics."- Matthew Flinders, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom."An outstanding work on a much talked-about constitutional device that originated in Britain where it is now defunct, but famously continues to operate in the United States. Chris Monaghan makes a powerful case for a revived and reformed impeachment procedure at Westminster, designed to strengthen ministerial responsibility to Parliament and - at a time when judicial review is under threat - buttress the political forms of control and redress over the abuse of executive power and unconstitutional conduct."- Robert Blackburn, King's College London, United Kingdom."In Britain, impeachment is generally regarded as obsolete. Chris Monaghan seeks, however, to show that it can be a powerful weapon in strengthening governmental accountability. His book is both analytical and securely based on comparative evidence. It is also original and provocative and should be read by anyone interested in British government."- Vernon Bogdanor, King's College London, United Kingdom.