MPs to vote on new Paterson suspension motion ‘as soon as possible’, says No 10

A Downing Street spokesman has confirmed to journalists that MPs will vote “as soon as possible” on another motion proposing the 30-day suspension of Owen Paterson.

Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, is set to expand on the details of the new motion in due course.

The spokesman said the government’s shift in approach was was a response to “strong feeling” in the Commons, saying that Andrea Leadsom’s controversial vote ”required cross-party consensus” and said the issue of reform needed to be de-coupled form the Paterson case.

Dame Andrea Leadsom’s amendment 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”.

Yesterday MPs voted 248 to 221 in favour of the amendment.

It suggests that the new committee is made up of four Conservative MPs, three Labour MPs and one SNP MP, however there have been indications opposition MPs could boycott the panel.