Tory sleaze: Outrage as Conservative MPs change sleaze rules to protect one of their own

The unprecedented action to protect Owen Paterson MP, has also received the backing of prime minister Boris Johnson who is supporting the efforts to overthrow an independent inquiry

Owen paterson sleaze

The decision of Tory MPs to block the suspension of one of their own found to have breached commons rules has prompted anger and accusations of wanting to turn the clock back to the “the dark days of Tory sleaze.

The unprecedented action to protect Owen Paterson MP, had also received the backing of prime minister Boris Johnson who supported the efforts to overthrow an independent inquiry that found that the former cabinet minister had committed an “egregious” breach of lobbying rules.

Last week, an investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards, Kathryn Stone, found that Paterson had  “repeatedly” used his position as an MP to benefit two firms who paid him as a consultant. The MPs’ watchdog recommended that he be suspended for 30 days.

Paterson has disputed the findings and claimed that the investigation was not fair.

MPs voted this evening to support Andrea Leadsom’s amendment, which passed by 250 votes to 232, meaning a decision on whether to suspend Owen Paterson will be put on hold whilst the system for investigating MPs is reviewed. There were cries of ‘shame’ as the amendment passed.

Leadsom’s amendment will see a new committee set up to consider changes to the process for investigating MPs.

Thangam Debbonaire shadow Commons leader, said before the vote that “the Tories wanted to jettison the system that has served us well and which has been a vital part of rebuilding public trust after the dark days of Tory sleaze this Government seems determined to return to”.

Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that there “long-standing problems” with the process and it was not a “fair system”. He said: “[We currently have] a very unsatisfactory process that requires the whole House of Commons, all 650 members, to give a final opinion on whether this case has been handled properly,” he added.

It’s worth pointing out that if Paterson had been suspended for 30 sitting days, it would automatically trigger a recall petition, which could lead to a by-election if 10% of eligible voters in his constituency sign it.

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward

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