NORTH Shropshire MP Owen Paterson says the controversial decision to overturn a proposed suspension from Parliament by his fellow MPs will give him the chance to 'clear his name'.
Mr Paterson has been found by the Standards Commission to have broken rules around lobbying for two companies – Randox and Lynn's Country Foods – who he is paid by.
With a potential 30-day ban from sitting in Parliament, he would have then been liable to have recall petition served if more than 10 per cent of the North Shropshire constituency signed.
But after 246 Conservative MPs voted for an amendment by Andrea Leadsom to review the Standards Commission – with 98 Conservative abstentions and six against – Mr Paterson again insisted the process of investigation was 'unfair'.
“The process I was subjected to did not comply with natural justice," he said.
“No proper investigation was undertaken by the commissioner or committee.
“The Standards Commissioner has admitted making up her mind before speaking to me or any witnesses.
“All I have ever asked is to have the opportunity to make my case through a fair process.
“The decision today in Parliament means that I will now have that opportunity.
“After two years of hell, I now have the opportunity to clear my name.
“I am extremely grateful to the PM, the Leader of the House and my colleagues for ensuring that fundamental changes will be made to internal parliamentary systems of justice.
“I hope that no other MP will ever again be subject to this shockingly inadequate process.”
The decision has caused uproar across Parliament, with Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer tweeting: "Corruption.
“There is no other word for it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel