Metro reports that the number of failed passport applications under the ‘good character’ clause set by the British Home Office has doubled since 2012. In 2016 alone, ‘out of character’ was the cause given for 44% of all refusals.

There’s no definition of good character in the1981 British Nationally Act. However, the official guidelines from the Home Office include ‘drinking or gambling and sexual preferences’ as possible examples of ‘bad character’.

Read more in Metro and in the Economist.
For details of current and past electoral legislation in the UK, check out our country profile pages.