Boris Johnson, who was flustered today, claimed that there’s ‘not much else to say’ in the Owen Paterson story and refused to make a pity for his refusal to duck a Commons battle.
The PM insisted he is unable to get back from a ‘long-planned’ visit to the North East in time for the Commons debate on his abortive bid to save his ally from lobbying punishment. No10 blamed his train journey, which doesn’t begin until approximately 4.30pm.
Although Tory fury over the tactic’s failure, Johnson continued to refuse to apologize.
He said that ‘I don’t believe there is anything more to say about this particular case’ to reporters during a rambling interview in which he tried to shift the topic to Covid.
According to Ipsos MORI, the Standard poll gave evidence of a party-wide downturn. Ministers however dismissed the dispute as “a storm in a teacup”.
Despite much of the fieldwork being done before last Wednesday’s dramatic vote, the Tories had a four-point drop in their polling since September to 35%.
This was crucially below Labour’s support, Keir Starmer’s party receiving 36%. This is Labour’s first win with the pollster in over a year.
Catherin McKinnell, Labour MP was one of those who mocked Mr Johnson’s inability make the 300-mile journey from Hexham to Hexham on time.
‘As someone who travels regularly up & down the country from the North East to represent my constituents in Parliament (without ever using a private jet) that sounds like a very lame excuse to me – more like a PM avoiding scrutiny of the sleaze his Party & Government are mired in,’ she tweeted.
This debate dodge echoes Mr Johnson’s decision as Foreign Secretary when he made a whistlestop trip to Afghanistan during the crucial vote to expand Heathrow Airport. He might have otherwise had to resign in opposition.
After a string of clashes, the premier was left struggling on many fronts. He was charged with targeting Kathryn Stone, standards commissioner.
He may still be subject to a Commons investigation regarding the financing of his Wallpapergate renovation of No11 Residence.
Johnson 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 keep the amount of the gift private.
Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House, is likely to make clear his commitment to protecting the integrity and legitimacy of the parliament at the beginning.
The last week was not a good example of democracy. Today’s debate should give members the opportunity to voice their opinions and allow us to move forward. In a statement, he added that he hoped MPs would reconsider their language in order to send the correct message.
Boris Johnson insisted he is unable to get back from a ‘long-planned’ visit to the North East in time for the Commons debate on his abortive bid to save his ally from lobbying punishment
Today, Johnson visited Hexham Hospital and chatted with patients
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
Today’s Ipsos MORI Poll for the Evening Standard revealed that Labour has slipped behind the Tories.
This is Labour’s first lead in the pollster’s survey for around one year.
In the three-hour Commons debate this afternoon, MPs will call on Mr Johnson categorically 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.
However, the PM spoke with broadcasters to confirm that he was not going to be attending Hexham hospital on his visit.
He said, “What’s important is to ensure that this all gets taken seriously, and we do it correctly.”
“There is a debate happening today. Unfortunately, I cannot attend because of a long-standing commitment up there.
The PM stated that opposition parties would like to be able to focus only on one case, a single MP who experienced a personal tragedy grave enough for him or her, and has since resigned.
He added: “I don’t think that there is much more to be written about this case. I’m not sure. However, we need to take a look at the entire process. This is what was happening last week.
He stated that he hopes there will be “cross-party agreement” on how to move forward.
He stated that he had the deepest respect for Speaker. His desire to create a cross-party result, cross-party reform of our system is exactly what we tried to do last week.
No10 said the premier is travelling by train. Steve Barclay, Chancellor of Lancaster, will instead repent the government.
The spokesman reminded us that Johnson flew back last week from the COP26 summit apparently to go to a dinner.
He said: “We believe the Chancellor, Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for this issue, is the best person to take up the debate.”
George Eustice, the Environment Secretary inflamed Tory fury by saying on Sky News yesterday that the dispute over Paterson was a “storm in a teacup”.
In a clear sign of anger among Conservative Party members, the minister’s remarks were called ‘unhelpful and ‘completely nonsense’.
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 asked Mr Johnson to “answer, apologize, and act” over today’s scandal. 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”.
One of his close friends said that no peerage was being’mentioned’, ‘offered or sought’. The two men insisted on the fact that Paterson did not intend to apply, even though he was eligible for one for his former role as MP.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Trade Secretary, was sent out to represent the government today. She stated that she believed Mr Johnson would just watch the Commons debate while working in his office.
Also, she appeared to indicate a truce during the campaign against Ms Stone and insist that she would remain at the top post.
Ms Trevelyan said she did not know for certain 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 be briefed about the major issues raised later by fellow members of the House. I feel that Leader and other ministers are well-placed to receive the despatchbox this afternoon.
Ms Trevelyan claimed she was certain Ms Stone would stay, even though Kwasi Kwarteng (a cabinet minister) suggested she might have to quit.
She stated that Ms Stone had been ‘independently appointed’ and added: “She will continue doing her job, and I (in) no doubt it she will.
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.
Catherin McKinnell, Labour MP was one of those who mocked Mr Johnson’s inability make the 300-mile journey from Hexham to Hexham on time
“I believe this is the conversation that we must have because some colleagues feel that the current way that the committee functions doesn’t offer the appropriate protections and 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 also said that Kathryn must be permitted to go about her job.
Ms Trevelyan said that the second job for MPs needs to be “reviewed again.”
She stated that she thought it was time to reexamine the issue of MPs working in lobbying.
“Across the board I believe we shouldn’t have to remove the ability to keep or have another job. It brings a richness and depth to our roles as members of parliament as well as our work day-to-day with our constituents.
Ms Trevelyan stated: “Speaking from the perspective of a woman who’s had death threats and been threatened with it, it is extremely hard. We have to be resilient, especially as women in public life. It is hard, but it is unacceptable.
She added: ‘I hope that, obviously, Kathryn has the support that she needs through this but this is something that comes at many women, we’ve heard Angela Rayner has been under attack … whether or not how she speaks her mind is her own choice, but it is always unacceptable for there to be death threats.
“Following the terrible, horrible death of David Amess, just a few short weeks ago, it is clear that as politicians and public servants, we need to remain resilient.
“This is not the country we want. We need to work together to ensure that all commentary is thoughtful and well-researched, so that everyone can do their jobs on the piste safely.
In the meantime, the Commons standards Committee revealed that they could conduct their own investigation into conduct rules for MPs and the second jobs held by them before Christmas. This would potentially lead to a recommendation of a ban on consulting work.
Today, Chairman Chris Bryant (Labour MP) claimed that there was an attempt to intimidate Ms Stone. The government should not have allowed this process to continue.
Last week, after the ministers failed to salvage him from extinction, Paterson was forced to step down as 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.
The former Cabinet Minister, Mr. Paterson, is now eligible to receive a so-called “category X” pass that allows former parliamentarians to continue accessing the Commons.
Ex-MPs have 283 cards that allow them to continue entry to the Parliamentary bars and restaurants, as well as to their personal financial accounts, like sitting MPs or peers. However, they cannot lobby as per Commons rules.
The current passholders are Sir Michael Fallon (the former defense secretary and deputy chairman of an Oil firm), Michael Dugher (a former Labour MP and chief executive at the Gambling Industry Body, the Betting and Gaming Council), and Sir Nick Clegg (the former deputy prime minister, who now works for Facebook).