Owen Patterson and sleaze- a shameful day in the House

It may be likely that the whole row was designed to throw the current process in to the spotlight. Now Paterson has gone, attention can focus solely on Stone and Bryant. Politics is Machiavellian after all. Done any other way, the public wouldn’t get it. Knives are out.

mokryna

Listening to the BBC last night, I thought that it was implied that this case had been brought and voted the way it was because Johnson was going to be called for a misdemeanor which is in the pipeline, therefore if the system was changed he wouldn’t have anything to answer for.

I am pleased there is going to be a revote.

One always thinks, when things like this happens ‘what is this deflecting attention away from’.

Urmstongran

Wow! Does that mean he has principles after all? Or has it all just gotten too much for him?

I would imagine he has the sense to realise that he is not doing the party's reputation any good by letting this drag on. Or someone has convinced him of that. Apart from the fact that he is not enhancing his own reputation.

I think he's now done the right thing.

I think he has now done the right thing- but too late, too late- damage is done.

Awful that his wife committed suicide- when was it? Very recently?

AT the end of the day though, however tragic, it has nothing to do with this Government overturning an independent judiciary decision.

mokryna

Listening to the BBC last night, I thought that it was implied that this case had been brought and voted the way it was because Johnson was going to be called for a misdemeanor which is in the pipeline, therefore if the system was changed he wouldn’t have anything to answer for.

I am pleased there is going to be a revote.

That could very well be the hidden agenda. Changing the rules now could get Johnson off the hook.

Boz

He has an approx. 24,000 majority in North Shropshire. I don't think the Tories will lose it but it will be an interesting result.

I think if he'd been recalled, the Tories would have had less chance of winning. After Rees-Mogg's announcement earlier today, it looks as though he was abandoned by the Tory top table.

Listening to the BBC last night, I thought that it was implied that this case had been brought and voted the way it was because Johnson was going to be called for a misdemeanor which is in the pipeline, therefore if the system was changed he wouldn’t have anything to answer for.

I am pleased there is going to be a revote.

Urmstongran

Actually I agree Kali2 I have no skin in the game with Owen Paterson per se. He would or would not be found guilty. But I truly think the set up of evaluation needs to change.

What is it that you don't get about yesterday's vote being about one thing and it not being the time to discuss any of these points you are bringing up?

I am finding it quite amazing because I don't think you are trying to aim off the subject - you, just like Johnson et al, think it's okay to try and change the rules post-facto.

We just don't change these things retrospectively - or how far do you go back? Johnson tried to stop getting to the end under the current set of rules. This procedure should have continued to the "normal" vote - and now it will do.

Whatever we think of the system, that must be dealt with separately. But you seem unable to think of it like that.

Personally I am delighted he has resigned. Sadly I suspect he has been promised further contracts for the companies he works for (as he had already stated he intended to continue with them). However by going away, Johnson wont face the embarrassment of being defeated next week when the vote was to take place. Let us hope this has brought the issue of sleaze to the publics attention and might create some change. Sadly Randox (the company for whom Paterson lobbied) has already awarded a new contract despite immensely poor performance on testing!

He has an approx. 24,000 majority in North Shropshire. I don't think the Tories will lose it but it will be an interesting result.

Urmstongran

Will the Tories win the by-election?

Probably, unless an anti-sleaze independent runs.

It seems the latter Urmstrong. I am not sure I understand it all tbh. Patterson claims he is innocent, that he was whistleblowing and should have been cleared, that his wife committed suicide because of it, and that he cannot put his family through anymore.

25Avalon

Patterson has resigned.

Good! Silly man! He should have taken the suspension on the chin and returned after 30 days. If he's as innocent as he claims, it would soon have been past history.

Will the Tories win the by-election?

This government reminds me of Charles I or Louis XIV who thought they could do anything they liked because they were above the law. Methinks it’s beginning to dawn on them that they aren’t.

Or he was pushed?

Urmstongran

No, Kali2 it’s all relevant. Same committee! Needs looking at. Maybe rejigging. Cross-party or better still Rejoiners & Brexiteers mix! It has been noted that all ‘Remainers’ (Labour & Tory) are not found guilty. Paterson? Well, he voted to Leave didn’t he?

The Standards Committe currently has four Conservative MPs: Andy Carter, Alberto Costa, Mark Fletcher and Sir Bernard Jenkin.

committees.parliament.uk/committee/290/committee-on-standards/membership/

As I'm sure you're aware, Jenkin is one of the most vocal of the pro-Brexit MPs.

Wow! Does that mean he has principles after all? Or has it all just gotten too much for him?

25Avalon

PippaZ

Just as a matter of interest Avalon what is it you think was spelt wrongly?

You accused me indirectly of being contemptable.

I actually said the post was, not you. My software is still not picking it up - because of the quotes, I think. It does if I take them off. I have good reason to find such words a challenge but I would suggest you check the spelling of names before you start attacking others on more minor issues.

I think dragging the name of a recently murdered man in is contemptible. I understand what you were disagreeing with but it's the old "two wrongs" bit isn't it. I don't think anyone else sank to that level of "using" dead people.

Patterson has resigned.

PippaZ I apologise for criticise your spelling. I remember when the grammar and spelling gnetters made people feel afraid to post. I do not like being referred to as contemptible because I am opposed to insulting, derogatory remarks. Whatever the subject is it should be called out.

As to the main thread I am glad Johnson has done a u-turn, I am glad that Angela has been reinstated, and I am glad that there will be a free vote on the suspension of Patterson.

It is MaizieD. It’s not the done thing.
I’ve been tempted many times but no ... not acceptable.

MaizieD

Petera

So do the people defending Johnson on this thread now think his U-turn is wrong? Or do you want to defend his U-turn?

I don't think that anyone is defending Johnson. Ug is trying some diversionary whataboutery, that's all.

I wonder if she's managed to read the report of the Select Committee on Standards.? I did post the link for her last night. It's better reading than Guido Fawkes and his ilk...

I posted the link too, but for anybody who's missed it twice, here it is again:

publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmstandards/797/79703.htm

Urmstongran

No, Kali2 it’s all relevant. Same committee! Needs looking at. Maybe rejigging. Cross-party or better still Rejoiners & Brexiteers mix! It has been noted that all ‘Remainers’ (Labour & Tory) are not found guilty. Paterson? Well, he voted to Leave didn’t he?

Bloody hell, Ug.

Just listen to yourself. No wonder democracy is dying in the UK.

Actually I agree Kali2 I have no skin in the game with Owen Paterson per se. He would or would not be found guilty. But I truly think the set up of evaluation needs to change.