Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

[Jordi Culé]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59143727

Good to see MPs thoroughly investigated and held accountable on alleged cases of corruption.

My faith in the system is restored.

[Rjk]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

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[Rjk]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

not that he would particularly fear a by-election, as he got 2/3 of the vote last time around

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Been found guilty of corruption? No problem, we'll just change the rules.
This absolutely stinks.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Confirmation of the news everyone knew was coming - the what’s in it for me party looking after one of their own.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59154221

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Dodgy bastards.

Our democracy is slowly being dismantled, one brick at a time.

[jon1959]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Henry Dyer @Direthoughts

BREAKING: 22 Tory MPs investigated or censured by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards voted for Leadsom amendment to set up commission to overhaul sleaze system.

[19 of them have had complaints against them upheld.]

Vote only passed by 18, so could not have succeeded without their support.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/03/call-out-tories-corruption-conservative-owen-paterson-keir-starmer

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Henry Dyer @Direthoughts

BREAKING: 22 Tory MPs investigated or censured by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards voted for Leadsom amendment to set up commission to overhaul sleaze system.

[19 of them have had complaints against them upheld.]

Vote only passed by 18, so could not have succeeded without their support.

That brings home the shameful nature of this episode so effectively- how on earth can anyone still back these people?

[JamesWales]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

This seems a much more clear cut case than some of the others speculated about. Aside from anything else, whatever the perceived injustices of the system you should change it after an event, not to prevent it from occuring. At the very least it's a really bad look.

Couple of things I find interesting;

Firstly, this is a very peculiar sword to fall on. He's not a particularly important politician, it is only a relatively short suspension and even if it did lead to a by-election, it is a very safe Tory seat, and even if they lost it, their majority would be totally unchallenged. Why the strength of feeling from fellow MPs?

Secondly, his wife killed herself last year and he claims this case was a contributory factor. That tragedy, of course, is not an excuse for him not to be suspended if found guilty (which he was) but it does all make the story very curious.

Purely for the sake of hearing both sides, this is his statement, but without question he should be suspended as the committee determined and if that committee is itself not fit for purpose then any changes should apply in future, not to correct existing judgements.

As far as I'm concerned he should accept the suspension and learn from it. Make any protestations after the event.

https://www.owenpaterson.org/statement-regarding-findings-committee-standards

[life on mars]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Dreadful decision should take the suspension as the existing rules are applied.

If there is a need to review or overall the process to allow the right to defence it should then formulated by a cross party group after the suspension.

He could still be suspended as this decision simply shelves it .

I'm struggling to understand why pick fight this now as it creates a bigger headline ??

Strange.

[Doucas]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Hang your head in shame if you voted for this. The corruption is relentless. We're a banana republic.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Firstly, this is a very peculiar sword to fall on. He's not a particularly important politician, it is only a relatively short suspension and even if it did lead to a by-election, it is a very safe Tory seat, and even if they lost it, their majority would be totally unchallenged. Why the strength of feeling from fellow MPs

It is odd from that point of view. I think they must be using this as the excuse to rip up the existing rules.

[life on mars]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

It is odd from that point of view. I think they must be using this as the excuse to rip up the existing rules.

Think the real issue is they want Kathryn Stone gone as the Tories believe she is not impartial , a deeper look at other cases may reveal more or why they have acted in this way.

Sad to read his wife committed suicide?

Still think he should be suspended and an appeal allowed as everyone deserves a defence or right to appeal to a judgement.

[life on mars]

Re: Owen Paterson - 'there's nothing to see here...'

Hang your head in shame if you voted for this. The corruption is relentless. We're a banana republic.

I wouldn't say we're unstable as a country with our economy dependent upon the exportation of limited-resource product, such as bananas or minerals.