Former Tory Cabinet minister Owen Paterson faces criticism by fellow MPs today following an anti-sleaze inquiry which he says contributed to his wife’s suicide.
The parliamentary standards committee, which rules on misconduct claims against MPs, is expected to find fault with him over his £100,000-a-year ‘consultancy’ job for Randox Health.
Former environment secretary Mr Paterson was accused of ‘bringing the Commons into disrepute’ by allegedly breaking parliamentary rules which say an MP cannot act as a ‘paid advocate’ for a company.
He strongly denies the charge – and as revealed by the Daily Mail last week, claims he has ‘no doubt’ the ‘cruel’ investigation ‘played a huge part’ in the death of his wife Rose last year.
Owen Paterson is facing criticism from fellow MPs following an anti-sleaze inquiry which he claims contributed to his wife’s suicide
Rose Paterson (left) was found dead in the woods near her family’s home in Shropshire last June.
After she was found dead in the woods near their Shropshire home, a coroner declared her suicide.
Mrs Paterson, 63-year-old, is the daughter of Viscount Ridley and was chairman at Aintree Racecourse where Randox sponsors Grand National.
Today’s ruling will be made by the Commons standards committee, which can punish MPs – from demanding an apology to suspension. It follows a two year investigation.
In secret evidence to parliamentary standards commissioner Kathryn Stone last month, Mr Paterson said his wife killed herself as she feared they would be destroyed by ‘erroneous’ claims about his links to Randox.
Shortly before Mrs Paterson died, media reports highlighted her and her husband’s association with Randox and her links to Baroness Dido Harding, who ran the Covid test and trace system.
At the Grand National Day 2021, Mr Paterson poses. His wife, the daughter and Viscount Ridley of Paterson, was chairman of Aintree Racecourse. Randox sponsors the Grand National.
Right: Mr Paterson with Randox MD Dr Peter FitzGerald The MP is accused of misconduct in connection with his £100,000-a-year ‘consultancy’ job for Randox Health
Reports referred to how Randox had won a £133million Covid testing contract but that was not part of the inquiry and no suggestion of wrongdoing was ever made against Mrs Paterson.
In his emotional statement, obtained by the Mail, the North Shropshire MP said he had ‘no inkling’ his wife planned to take her life.
According to Mr Paterson’s wife, the inquiry would make her resign as head at Aintree, because of their relationship with Dr Peter FitzGerald (Randox boss), Mr Paterson claimed.
He said: ‘If I am found guilty without due process, my political enemies will crow that my wife was a proper person and killed herself when she was told I had broken the rules when I have not done so.’
He added: ‘My family and I are in no doubt that the way this investigation has been conducted played a massive role in creating the extreme anxiety which led to her suicide.’