Boris Johnson faces new Tory demands for a personal apology. Red Wall MPs are insisting that he must know “right from wrong” and must make an immediate statement of regret.
With outrage at his extraordinary attempt to protect himself from being punished for lobbying, the PM has been caught in the middle of an uproarious storm.
He instead travelled the 300-mile distance to Northumberland to visit a hospital No10 said was “long-planned”. Even though photos show that Johnson was able to return to London on time, he chose to not.
Hexham was given a short interview in which a turbulent premier did not apologize and also suggested there was nothing more to the matter.
Interviews this morning with Dominic Raab (Deputy PM) also showed that Dominic Raab tried to flip the script on Labour, saying Keir Sterner should not be politicizing the situation.
Steve Barclay was however sent by the Cabinet Office to deal with the backlash. Although expressing regret, Barclay also admitted it was a mistake linking reforms of Parliament’s antisleaze rules to Paterson’s.
A number of Conservative MPs stepped up to criticize the actions of Mr Johnson and his government.
Mark Harper, former Tory chief whip said that if the captain makes a mistake, he should apologize to both the House and the public. It’s the right way to demonstrate leadership.
Worryingly to the PM, Members of the 2019 Intake – frequently seen as having owed their careers to his electoral win – joined the chorus.
Mark Fletcher was a Tory member to the standards panel that recommended Mr Paterson’s suspension for 30 days. He said that he “would have been found in breach of the rules under any procedure you could create”.
Bolsover MP claimed that the majority of fellow colleagues across the House were determined to adhere to the rules and have good intentions.
He said, “But for those who break the rules the punishment must fit. Although I voted for the last week’s report, I wouldn’t hesitate to vote again.
“I’m sorry to say that it took me more than two years to understand the differences between right and wrong.
While the government appears to be in control, Chris Bryant (chair of Labour standards committee) insists that parliament must vote on behalf of its report about Mr Paterson’s activities.
In the meantime, Johnson seems to have strengthened his No10 team, amid concerns it may be ‘failing’. He brought back Ben Gascoigne, an ex-aide, as deputy chief of staff.
Boris Johnson traveled 300 miles from London to Northumberland (pictured), to attend the Commons Debate.
Photos suggest that Mr Johnson was able to return to London just in time for the House visit. However, he chose to not.
Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem (right), secured an emergency debate last evening and stated that events were more like the “Duma in Moscow” than Westminster. Left, Owen Paterson (file picture)
Aaron Bell was one of the 50 Tory MPs who defied a whip from three lines last week on the issue. He said that his colleagues were placed in an “invidious” position by the government.
Bell stated that he was concerned about the Commons’ ‘overzealous application’ loyalty by Mr Paterson’s friends. This had led to the Commons taking the “extremely unfortunate” decision last Wednesday.
He stated that he was proud to be a part of 2019 Conservative MPs intake, also known as the “109”.
“I am sure that many of my close friends in this group have been through a terrible time since the election on Wednesday.”
“I’m sure many wish they’d voted differently, and feel guilty about it. But I tell them loyalty to your party is an admirable trait. It is a fact that this place, and indeed the entire political system of our country, wouldn’t be possible without it.
“But the fact is, my friends shouldn’t have been in such an invidious place.”
Mr Bell quoted Jill Mortimer (Conservative MP) as a WhatsApp message. She was elected Hartlepool representative in May.
He stated to the House that she believed this was a huge misjudgment and should not have been whipped.
“I could not agree more, and I hope that the Treasury bench listens.” We must return to the convention, where House business does not get whipped.
Bell spoke out about rebelling saying, “It churns your up beforehand and leaves it a little shell shocked afterwards.”
“Perhaps next year it will be more easy.”
Andy Carter, Conservative MP and another member the Standards Committee, supported Mr Paterson’s decision but recognized that certain parts of the system can be confusing.
He expressed concern that the code and current rules were too complex. But, it’s not about paid advocacy. This, I fear, is quite straightforward.
Mr Raab told BBC Breakfast today that everyone should be working for a ‘robust’ standards system.
He said, “I don’t believe the politicization by Labour Party, given the amount of money they take from unions is a particularly appealing look for KeirStarmer.”
“I feel that we need to be closer together in order to build public confidence in our institutions. This includes our work as MPs. We should also ensure we have a strong system to handle complaints, impropriety and fairness. We should all strive for that.
Yesterday, Johnson declined to speak out about the events that took place last week during his visit to Hexham General Hospital. When asked if he was sorry, Johnson replied that he didn’t believe there were much to say about this particular case.
The Daily Mail was informed last night by a Tory MP that he was near to writing a note of no confidence to Mr Johnson’s leadership. It would mark the beginning of a contest to succeed him. “This resonates with the public, and I am fed up of it,” said the MP. Boris won’t change and we will continue on to the end until the critical mass is reached to eliminate him.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Commons Speaker, stated that MPs must now’sort out our mess’. While Mr Barclay acknowledged that there were legitimate reasons to reform the Commons standard system, he also said it was wrong for the Government to tie it with Mr Paterson.
“I would like to first and foremost express my sorrow and those of my ministerial peers over the error made last week,” he stated.
Labour leader Sir Keir starmer stated that PM was “running scared” after giving ‘the greenlight for corruption’ to him by asserting that rules to end vested interest did not apply to his close friends.
He stated, ‘He doesn’t even possess the decency or ability to apologize for his actions.’ He said, “His concern is, as usual, self-preservation and not the national interests.”
Last week, Tory MPs were whipped to vote for a new committee that would reform anti-sleaze laws. The Government backed down after opposition parties refused to work with them.
Following the bitter outcome of the row Mr Paterson, who has denied wrongdoing, said he was quitting the post of North Shropshire MP. He blamed the “cruel world” of politics.
This was in response to a Commons Standards Committee recommendation that he should be expelled from Parliament for six consecutive weeks following a ‘egregious breach’ of centuries-old MPs ban against paid lobbying.
Yesterday, Johnson visited Hexham Hospital and chatted with patients
Many Tory MPs avoided the debate because the party is counting the cost of their decision to strike the standards system
Yesterday’s Ipsos MORI Poll for the Evening Standard revealed that Labour is now ahead of the Tories.