Lib Dems claim govt support for Owen Paterson could damage trust in politicians

Commenting ahead of the House of Commons vote today that will see Conservative MPs move to block the suspension of former minister Owen Paterson, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“Owen Paterson’s focus on the Commissioner herself rather than the office has been reprehensible. The Government supporting him in that is shameful. This was a committee with a Conservative majority of MPs that clearly concluded he had broken the rules. The report agrees that there were deliberate rule breaches and no rescue amendment should be supported today.

“Climate change and coming out of the pandemic are just two issues where trust in politicians is essential. Owen Paterson and the Government’s defence of him will inevitably damage what little trust is left.”

An amendment tabled to the motion yesterday evening by another ex-minister, Dame Andrea Leadsom recommends that “the current standards system should give Members of Parliament the same or similar rights as apply to those subject to investigations of alleged misconduct in other workplaces and professions”, which would entail the “right of representation, examination of witness and appeal”.

It is thought that the government will whip in favour of the proposal, that suggests the new committee is made up of four Conservative MPs, three Labour MPs and one SNP MP.

Downing Street itself has previously refused to comment on whether the Prime Minister is in favour of the potential 30 day suspension of the MP.