Nicola Sturgeon sabotaged the sleaze chaos of today in order to support her Scottish independence cause.
Boris Johnson failed to control the chaos as the leader of SNP lashed out at corruption.
The intervention came as Cabinet tensions broke into the open, with Rishi Sunak warning the PM that the government ‘needs to do better’ following the aborted bid to save ex-minister Owen Paterson from punishment for lobbying.
Ms. Sturgeon spoke to reporters at the COP26 summit, Glasgow. She said that the resulting barrage of accusations had’shone a spotlight, and maybe this is a positive thing, on some other issues that need resolution around politics, especially Westminster politics’.
She added that there was a concern (and I don’t say this lightly) about corruption in the Westminster system. This must be eradicated.
These incendiary remarks will irritate the government as well as unionists.
Already, Ms. Sturgeon is causing anger by using the COP summit to her advantage. She has taken out a number of prominent ads describing Scotland’s status as a nation in wait’.
Nicola Sturgeon (right), lashed out against a’sense that corruption is at the heart the Westminster system’ while Boris Johnson was unable to contain it
A poll that showed the Conservatives trailing Labour in the vote count for the first year has highlighted the damage done by the sleaze row.
The barb was delivered as Johnson assembled his top team at Downing Street to assess the situation amid persistent rumours about friction with Sunak, who did not vote for the crucial amendment last week.
A poll that showed Labour trailing the Conservatives for the first year in a row has highlighted the importance of the discussion.
Despite increasing alarm on the Tory benches, the PM again stubbornly refused to apologise for triggering the sleaze meltdown as he was grilled during a press conference at the COP26 summit in Glasgow last night.
Cabinet focus was on Levelling Up, and ministers gave details of how they are contributing. To help her get her point across, Therese coffey (Work and Pensions Secretary) arrived with an A3 map.
But, it was anticipated that the topic of the day would be how to stop the increasing criticisms about MPs having second jobs and conflicting interests or cronyism.
After the release of new GDP numbers, Sunak spoke out in a strikingly different tone. He said he was reflecting on recent events and gave an interview to Sky News.
He stated that people will be motivated in different ways to do what they are doing, and the pay for each job is determined by an independent entity.
“In regard to second jobs there is an independent process we have, which’s established by Parliament and that regulates them all. That process must be followed exactly as it is.
‘Now look, on the broader point – and reflecting over recent events – I think for us as a Government, it’s fair to say that we need to do better than we did last week, and we know that.’
Like Mr Johnson, Sunak hasn’t declared extra income since becoming a MP in 2015. Sunak is known to be among the wealthiest MPs in London, partly because of his past career and also the multi-billion dollar fortune of his spouse.
With more allegations made against MPs than ever before and signs of increasing infighting, the Tory misery is not showing any sign of abating.
A poll by Redfield & Wilton Strategies found the Tories have dropped one point since Monday to 36 per cent.
Gleichzeitig stieg Labour’s share to 38 percent.
Since November of last year, this is the first time that the Opposition had seen a lead from the company.
Rishi Sunak was at risk of inflaming tensions within the country by making allegations about the scandal that followed Owen Paterson’s unsuccessful attempt to exonerate him from the penalty for lobbying.
Boris Johnson (pictured attending Remembrance Day in silence today) is trying to calm rising alarm at sleaze accusations
Alister Jack, Scottish Secretary and Housing Secretary is seen in Downing St (left).
Relationships between No10 & No11 were strained for some time. It is suspected that Mr Sunak has been manipulating his PR output.
The PM’s strategy to decarbonize Britain by 2050 was a flashpoint.
In addition to the plan, Treasury published a clear assessment warning the government that it cannot borrow funds in order to finance the transition costs.
It cautioned that tax rises would be needed to underwrite state investment – and that a way will have to be found to fill the black hole left as £37billion of revenue from fuel duty disappears.
This message was starkly opposed to the PM’s bullish remarks that there won’t be any need for “hairshirt” measures.
Also, reports claimed the Treasury assessment had also been scrubbed to get rid of the most worrying predictions. It was originally even more difficult.
This was yet another sign that tensions are escalating between Mr Johnson and the Chancellor over government finances. However, the Premier appeared to be on top of the Budget which was released last month with a lot of cash.
Former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox is facing fresh questions after it emerged he took out a £3,900 loan from the taxpayer to cover the deposit on renting a London flat – at the same time as renting out his own property in the capital.
In 2017 the Torridge & West Devon MP moved out of his own property in London, and started claiming around £1,900 a month on expenses for another flat in the capital.
The arrangement does not break any rules, but Sir Geoffrey is reported to be renting his Battersea property out for around £1,000 a week.
MailOnline can also reveal that Sir Geoffrey received a £3,900 loan from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) in 2017 to pay the deposit on his new accommodation.
There is no evidence that rules were broken, however, Sir Geoffrey was making huge amounts from his legal practice. He has earned more than £5million since becoming an MP in 2005.
Lord Evans, Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life stated that MPs who spend a lot of their time on second jobs will be unable to fulfill their duties towards constituents.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme about his committee’s 2018 recommendations on MPs’ external work, the peer said: ‘We said that the critical thing was that nothing that an MP does should get in the way of their ability to work in support of their constituents – so the amount of work they do, the sort of work, needs to be judged against that.
“If someone is spending too much time at a second job they cannot be supporting their constituents.”
Lord Evans was asked if it really matters how long an MP is spending on outside work than their income. He replied that it wasn’t a question of whether or not it matters how much.
“And that takes patience and concentration.
Last night’s press conference saw an awkwardly dressed Mr Johnson insist that MPs have second jobs to’strengthen Democracy’, stating that politicians were able to work outside of their job for hundreds of years.
But he swiped at Sir Geoffrey, who has been criticised for his £1million-a-year legal sideline, saying they ‘must put your job as an MP first’, as well as stressing that paid lobbying is never acceptable.
He was trying to maintain media attention on his plans to reduce climate change, but he found it difficult to defend Britain’s political system.
Johnson was in a rush to get away, and the proceedings came to an abrupt halt when he checked his watch. He said that he wanted to take the train to London and catch “climate-friendly transportation”.
Sir Geoffrey Cox was referred to Commons standards tsar for claims that he violated Commons rules using his parliamentary offices to give legal advice to British Virgin Islands.
In an attempt to revive UN summit negotiations on a deal to combat climate change, the premier made a quick trip to Scotland. However, he was confronted over his sleaze crisis.
“On second jobs, i would say that over hundreds of years, MPs have been elected to parliament and done work as soldiers, physicians, lawyers, firefighters, writers or any other trade or calling.”
“And the UK has realized that it has in fact strengthened its democracy. People feel that all parliamentarians should have at least some exposure to the rest of the globe.
“But, if the system will continue today, then it’s crucial that MPs comply with the rules.
“And the rules state two important things. You must place your MP job first, and you must give your time and attention to the constituents who sent you to Westminster and to Parliament.
“They say you shouldn’t use your position of MP to lobby, or other intervene for any commercial interests. And it is not only that you have to register those interests – you can’t lobby or make representation while an MP on behalf of those interests.
“Those are rules. They must be followed. Anyone who doesn’t follow them will face consequences.”
After footage from the Commons that showed Sir Geoffrey representing British Virgin Islands in a fraud commission was released, Sir Geoffrey made a defiance sound.
Labour demanded that a standard probe be conducted. Ministers however have acknowledged that the use of parliamentary facilities to do work is in violation of the rules. He claims that there has been no breach.
Andrew Bowie has now resigned from his position as Conservative vice-chair. He was widely regarded as an emerging star. He insisted he wants to focus on his Scottish constituency, but has reportedly told friends he is ‘unable to support the government’ in the wake of the Paterson row.
Ministers are trying desperately to discredit the notion of a total ban on MPs holding second jobs. Sajid Javid, Health Secretary suggested that some MPs might leave Parliament. He also stressed the benefits to the Commons of people having access to the outside world.
Labour accused Johnson of using his day trip to Scotland as an ‘distraction’ from the sleaze rows. Many expected Johnson to travel towards the end, when negotiations are at their most critical point.
He also decided to cancel plans for tomorrow’s Cabinet away-day at Chequers and instead will meet Downing Street ministers.