Section 23 Oath or affirmation of allegianceI1

F1A Member of the Senedd must take the oath of allegiance in the form set out in section 2 of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72) (or make the corresponding affirmation) as soon as is reasonably practicable after being returned as a Member of the Senedd (whether for the first time or subsequently).

The standing orders must specify the person before whom the oath is to be taken (or the affirmation made).

Subsection (1) does not require a Member of the Senedd to take the oath of allegiance (or make the corresponding affirmation) again if it has been taken (or made) by the F2Member of the Senedd in compliance with section 55(2) since being returned (or last returned).

Until a Member of the Senedd has taken the oath (or made the affirmation) the Member of the Senedd must not do anything as a Member of the Senedd, other than—

If a Member of the Senedd has not taken the oath (or made the affirmation) within—

at the end of that period of two months or longer period the Member of the Senedd ceases to be a Member of the Senedd (so that the F5Member's seat is vacant).

Until a Member of the Senedd has taken the oath (or made the affirmation), no salary, allowance, gratuity or payment towards the provision of a pension, allowance or gratuity is to be paid under this Act to or in respect of the Member of the Senedd.

But subsection (6) does not affect any entitlement to payments in respect of the period before the Member of the Senedd took the oath (or made the affirmation) once the Member of the Senedd has done so.