Bradlaugh Ejected from the House Charles Bradlaugh , free thinker , became notorious as a leading " infidel " and his competence , as an avowed atheist , to take the oath was continually questioned , and when in 1880 he was returned to Parliament as a Radical , his claim to be allowed to affirm was rejected . Refusal to allow him to take the oath , on his professing willingness , led to his ejectment . He was permitted to take the oath and his seat in 1886 . 1881