WORCESTER'S MP, who voted in favour of changing rules on the policing of MPs' conduct and blocking the suspension of a Conservative MP, says the two issues should have been separated.

The amendment voted through the Commons on Wednesday was for a Tory-led panel to consider reforming MPs disciplinary process - but also stopped former cabinet minister Owen Paterson, at the centre of a lobbying row from being immediately suspended for breaching rules.

After a fierce backlash minister Mr Paterson quit as an MP this afternoon (November 4), hours after Jacob Rees-Mogg announced in the Commons that the government had U-turned and would now seek “cross-party” changes to the system.

The row came after Mr Paterson was found to have repeatedly lobbied on behalf of two companies for which he was acting as a paid consultant, earning himself more than £100,000 per year.

 

QUIT: Conservative MP for North Shropshire, Owen Paterson quit yesterday. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

QUIT: Conservative MP for North Shropshire, Owen Paterson quit yesterday. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

 

Asked why he voted in favour of the amendment Robin Walker said: "I voted that there is a proper process (on standards) that evidence is properly heard from both sides in a case of this nature, and there should be an appeals process.

"Jacob Rees-Mogg clarified this isn't about trying to intervene in an individual case. I realise that is something people object to.

"Unfortunately the way this has looked from the outside I appreciate hasn't looked good.

"This is about making sure we have a system in place that is properly fit for process."

The MP added: "I think it would have been better to deal with the standards process earlier.

"With everything going on, with the Covid situation, parliament has rightly been focused on other things.

"It would have been better to have talked about the standards procedure separate from any other individual case."

Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, who also voted in favour, said: "I believe it’s important that the integrity of MPs is maintained and held to a high standard.

"It’s widely recognised that the current system is far from ideal. Change to the system is therefore needed but it is preferable to separate the process from individual cases.”

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, abstained on the vote. Asked her reasons the MP - speaking before Mr Paterson quit - said: “I was attending COP26 in Glasgow so I did not take part in the vote on the Commons Standards Committee.

“I have enormous compassion for Owen Paterson, who has experienced a recent terrible tragedy when his wife took her life.

"I understand his desire for the kind of fair hearing any of my constituents would receive in an employment matter although it is important that MPs should not engage in paid advocacy.

“I am sure this matter will be discussed further in the House of Commons next week and I wish my Shropshire colleague well as he moves on from this difficult episode.”