THE PRIME Minister still wants to reform the disciplinary process for MPs despite a U-turn on measures in the Commons.
Speaking to Westminster journalists this morning, Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said the PM was still intent on reforming the process to ensure MPs could appeal decisions made by the Standards Commissioner.
However he reiterated the message from Jacob Rees-Mogg this morning that it was clear there was “not cross-parry consensus” on setting up a new Commons committee.
READ MORE: 'You tried to overturn a two year probe in two hours': MPs react after Owen Paterson u-turn
Asked why business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng was defending the plans voted through last night, only for them to be scrapped an hour later, the spokesman said: “It was clear this amendment sought to have cross party consensus on a future appeal process, it’s clear that wasn’t going to be possible so we changed our approach.”
MPs will now have to vote again on the proposals to suspend Owen Paterson, the Conservative MP at the centre of the row.
The PM’s spokesman said this would be done “as soon as possible” but was unable to say if it would take place before recess next week.
The new vote, if passed by MPs, would nullify the plans to set up a new committee and would see a decision made on whether to suspend Mr Paterson.
Mr Paterson was found to have committed an “egregious breach” of the rules when he lobbied the government and used his MP office to hold business meetings while working as a consultant for two companies.
READ MORE: Tories in screeching U-turn of Owen Paterson sleaze probe reforms
The MP for North Shropshire was paid £100,000 a year for the paid lobbying work, which is against the rules for parliamentarians.
The Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone recommended a 30-day suspension, which could mean Mr Paterson loses his seat, in her report on the case last month.
Last night MPs were set to vote on the suspension however the Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom put forward an amendment suggesting the establishment of a new committee to look at MP rule breaking which would effectively see Mr Paterson evade punishment.
Conservative MPs were whipped to support the amendment which passed by 18 votes.
It created uproar in the Commons with shouts of ‘shame’ and ‘what have you done to this place’ heard when the results were announced.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesman was asked when the Prime Minister realised the move had been a mistake, and whether it was after his own business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng defended the measures in this morning’s broadcast rounds.
The spokesman said he could not give a precise time, but it was “clear there was not cross-party consensus”.
Asked if the move was an attempt to undermine Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone, the spokesman said “no” and said Ms Stone’s position was “entirely a matter for her”, but added that the PM’s priority was for an appeals process to be set up to allow MPs to challenge decisions made by Ms Stone.
Asked if Mr Johnson regretted last night’s attempt to change the disciplinary procedure, the spokesman said: “He set out his view at PMQs yesterday on what was needed in having an appeals process, that has not changed.
“He fully acknowledges the strength of feeling in the house and given the cross-party consensus is needed that is why we have changed our approach.”
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