Opposition MPs have voiced their dissatisfaction at the government’s handling of Owen Paterson’s breach of parliamentary standards in an emergency House of Commons’ debate.

Opening the debate, Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain said the government’s actions last week had “tainted MPs with allegations of sleaze” in the eyes of the public.

Cabinet minister Steve Barclay “expressed regret” over the government’s handling of the government’s standards plan, but confirmed there were no plans to endorse retrospective sanctions against Owen Paterson in light of his resignation last week.