Boris Johnson fears a backlash by the Tories and Speaker Lindsay Hoyle as MPs have an emergency debate about today’s sleaze scandal.
Today’s Commons debate will focus on the PM’s unsuccessful attempt to protect Owen Paterson, an ally from being lobbied for punishment.
Conservatives have already been venting their anger at the bungled tactic, which ended with an humiliating No10 U-turn and Mr Paterson quitting.
The polls show that the party suffered significant damage, even though ministers dismissed the incident as a “storm in a teacup”.
However, Johnson, who may not be able to attend the debate has left fighting on several fronts after being accused of attacking Kathryn Hudson (standards commissioner) in a series clashes.
A Commons inquiry into his funding for the ‘Wallpapergate” renovation of No11 could be launched against him.
He also declined to make his Spanish ‘freebie’ vacation to Spain public on the parliamentary register. Instead, he unusually used the ministerial interest list which allowed him to not disclose its value.
Sir Lindsay will be making a statement about his resolve to preserve the integrity of parliament.
Commons standards committee stated this morning that they could close their own investigation into conduct rules, MPs’ second jobs prior to Christmas and possibly recommend banning consultancy work.
Chris Bryant is a Labour MP who today stated that Ms Hudson was being intimidated by the chairman and that the government shouldn’t have interfered in the matter.
Boris Johnson’s failed attempt to save Owen Paterson (right), by lobbying punishment (left) will face fresh criticism in the Commons.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle will likely to make a statement about his resolve to preserve the integrity and independence of Parliament later
At an emergency three-hour Commons debate this afternoon, MPs will call on Mr Johnson to rule out a peerage for Mr Paterson and to launch an investigation into £600million of Covid contracts awarded to one of the firms he worked for.
George Eustice, the Environment Secretary inflamed Tory anger yesterday when he claimed on Sky News: The row over Paterson was “a storm in one cup”.
As a result of public anger at the Conservative Party benches, ministers’ comments were labeled ‘unhelpful’ as ‘completely absurd’.
Tobias Ellwood, a Tory ex-minister and former minister of the Tory party, also stressed the seriousness of the dispute by telling BBC: “We shouldn’t deny that it was a dark week in British democracy.
Keir Starmer called for Mr Johnson’s ‘answers, apologise, and action’ regarding the scandal ahead of today’s debate. It was also confirmed that Paterson would not receive a peerage.
He will push Mr Johnson to ‘commit to a full, transparent investigation into the more than £600million of taxpayer money handed without competition or tender to Randox’, one of the firms Mr Paterson worked for.
After Mr Eustice had earlier said it was unlikely, a Downing Street source stated that a peerage for Paterson was “not in the cards”.
A close friend of Mr Paterson stated that a peerage was not’mentioned or offered’. The two men insisted on the fact that Paterson did not intend to apply, even though he has been a MP and is therefore eligible for Commons passes.
Anne Marie Trevelyan (Trade Secretary) was sent to represent the government today. She stated that Johnson did not need to attend Monday’s standard-setting debate.
She said she did not know whether the PM would be there, but told Sky News: ‘My opinion would be that no, he shouldn’t be there, he will no doubt – as we all do – have the House of Commons on in his office as he’s dealing with many, many other issues that only a Prime Minister that can deal with.
“He will receive a briefing on the main issues raised by colleagues across the House late on. I think that the Leader of the House and the other ministers will have the best possible position to accept the despatch boxes this afternoon.
Ms Trevelyan claimed she was certain Ms Stone would stay, even though Kwasi Kwarteng (a cabinet minister) suggested last week that she might have to quit.
She claimed Ms Stone was “independently appointed”, adding that she would continue her work and that there is no reason to doubt her.
She explained that she believed the speaker of the House would make a statement on how to improve the work of the committee, Kathryn’s run.
“I believe that that is the conversation we should have. Because colleagues for some time have felt that the manner in which the committee operates doesn’t provide all of the necessary protections or safeguards.
“We will keep doing that, I hope Kathryn will have a better situation and that the aggressive voices from Kathryn will be eliminated.”
She said, “I believe Kathryn should be allowed to continue her work.”
Last week, after the ministers failed to salvage him from extinction, Paterson was forced to step down as an MP.
Mr Johnson dropped a bid to prevent Mr Paterson being suspended from Parliament for lobbying on behalf of two firms which paid him more than £500,000.
After hours of negotiations, he decided to resign and leave the political ‘cruel’ world.
As a former Cabinet minister, Paterson will still be allowed to access the Commons. He is also entitled to request a ‘categoryX’ pass, which allows him to use his former Parliamentarian credentials.
The cards allow ex-MPs to keep going to Parliament, even to bars and restaurants. They don’t have to declare their financial interests like peers and sitting MPs. They are not allowed to lobby under Commons rules.
Current holders include Sir Michael Fallon who was the ex-defense secretary and is now deputy chairman at an oil company, Michael Dugher who is a former Labour MP and is chief executive at The Betting and Gaming Council and Sir Nick Clegg who used to be the deputy prime minister and works for Facebook.
Yesterday, an Opinium poll conducted by the Observer showed that the Tories ranked at 37 percent. This is three points lower than last week.