Black, Archer, Lords No More

The fallout from The Sunday Times' scoop last week—in which members of the House of Lords were caught on tape soliciting bribes from undercover reporters—looks as if it will soon claim its first victims. According to The Times, British Justice Secretary Jack Straw is preparing reforms in the wake of "Erminegate" to repair the legislature's reputation and oust any members who have been convicted of a crime. As a result of the new rules, newspaper magnate Conrad Black, currently jailed for fraud, and author Jeffrey Archer, who was convicted of perjury, will be expelled. Seven others are also thought to be in danger of losing their seat under new provisions that will ban peers who dodge paying their taxes.