A political fiasco that started over claret and pheasant at the Garrick... and ended in humiliation: ANDREW PIERCE reveals the inside story of 24 hours that humbled Boris Johnson
ANDREW PIERCE: No one even bothered to tell Owen Paterson (inset) about the U-turn to save him from suspension. He was in a supermarket when he was telephoned by a BBC journalist, who broke it to him that the Government had abandoned him. Paterson realised he was trapped. The U-turn meant he was now the new poster boy for Tory sleaze. By 11am yesterday he was consulting friends and family about whether to quit altogether. His departure was the final act in what was a political farce from beginning to end. Perhaps if Boris (left) had bothered to inform himself of the findings of the standards committee - which in its 169-page report found Paterson was guilty of an 'egregious' breach of the MPs code - the Government would not be in such a mess. (Right: The Garrick Club where Boris plotted to save Paterson from suspension)
Anatomy of corruption: Owen Paterson took £500,000 to lobby for his paymasters but insisted he broke no rules... so how could Boris Johnson (and 249 other MPs) have BACKED him?
GUY ADAMS: Had the PM bothered to actually read the report detailing Owen Paterson's misdemeanours, he'd have quickly realised that this was an open-and-shut case. Or, to put things another way, his backbench chum's woes were entirely self-inflicted. The rules clearly forbid MPs from lobbying on behalf of paying clients, or from using their position as a Parliamentarian to confer a 'financial or material benefit' upon them. There is one loophole. It involves 'exceptional' and very limited circumstances where they are seeking to highlight 'a serious wrong or substantial injustice'. In other words, when the MP is acting as a sort of whistleblower.
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
Clean up your act, Boris! As Owen Paterson corruption row rages, voters say this government is mired in worst sleaze for decades
A Daily Mail poll reveals that Boris Johnson is leading the 'sleaziest' government in more than 40 years of British politics and is considered more than twice as 'sleazy' as Labour's Sir Keir Starmer. In the week that the Owen Paterson scandal led to accusations of a return to Tory corruption, voters believe MPs should be ordered to give up lucrative second jobs outside Parliament, with claims of wrong-doing investigated by a High Court judge, not politicians themselves, the survey found. But even amid widespread criticism of his bungled handling of an attempt to ditch the parliamentary standards system, the Prime Minister is still ahead of Sir Keir in the personal ratings war.
The shambles at Number 10! Knives are out for Jacob Rees-Mogg and Chief Whip Mark Spencer as Boris Johnson is told to 'clear out' No10's top team of Yes Men after sleaze debacle
Allies of Boris Johnson last night told him to sort out the 'shambles' in No 10 as backbenchers warned his authority has been 'truly shattered'. Senior Conservatives urged the Prime Minister to conduct a major overhaul of his top team in the wake of his botched handling of the Owen Paterson sleaze row. Lord Moylan, an adviser to Mr Johnson during his time as London mayor, said the Prime Minister was being 'let down badly' by both his ministers and inner circle in Downing Street.
Boris vs the sleaze watchdogs: Now PM REFUSES to tell Commons regulator how much his Marbella freebie holiday was worth ... as he ALSO faces new 'wallpapergate' probe after botched attempt to block MP's lobbying punishment
Downing Street confirmed this morning that the Johnsons' October stay at the Marbella home of Lord Goldsmith would not be placed on the register of MPs' financial interests.
Now scandal-hit Owen Paterson resigns from his business roles after stepping down as MP
Owen Paterson announced he is 'stepping aside' from his consultancy roles with a health firm and a sausage manufacturer after he was found to have lobbied ministers and officials on their behalf.
Two years, 43 U-turns: How the Prime Minister has caved in over and over again
In the past two years, despite commanding a large majority in the Commons and strong support in the polls, the Prime Minister has been forced to cave in on everything.
I'm reminded of the old legal joke about the teenager on trial for Murder.
Defence Counsel: "The Court must show mercy. The accused is an orphan..."
Judge: "True. But she is on trial accused of murdering both her parents..."
I do not know why his wife committed suicide.
It could be the inquiry.
Then again, it could have been as a result of her Husband's actions, and the inevitable shame and media attention brought on the family.
But it is OK. The completely unbiased Husband is sure it is just the former...
Owen Paterson QUITS as an MP after Boris cuts him adrift by dropping bid to save him from 30-day lobbying suspension - as furious Tories compare PM to the Grand Old Duke of York
Owen Paterson today dramatically resigned after Boris Johnson executed an extraordinary U-turn on his decision to block his punishment for lobbying. The former minister declared he is resigning as MP for North Shropshire, saying: 'I will remain a public servant but outside the cruel world of politics.' It came hours after Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the government has dropped plans for a retrospective overhaul of sleaze rules after a huge backlash at the 'politically-motivated' decision. The move meant that a motion on suspending Mr Paterson for 30 days for lobbying rule breaches - as was recommended by the cross-party standards committee - was set to be brought before the House again. The whirlwind reversal came less than 24 hours after the PM smashed convention by ordering his party to oppose the conclusions of the standards watchdog.
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
I think the continued support for the Tories is understandable while they have been giving money away hand over fist. There are some tough times ahead. I think the general public are likely to be less forgiving, when making ends meet becomes more of a struggle. It would seem that those that are likely to be unaffected will be their core voters. Those that are likely to be most affected will probably be Labour voters, and those that the Tories borrowed from Labour at the last election.
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
Tory peer Lord Bethell changes story AGAIN over £90m Covid contracts
The controversy over Lord Bethell’s phone emerged in August, when letters from the Government’s legal department said that after he confirmed he had sent the texts and messages relating to the deal from his phone, he first said he could not produce them because the handset had been ‘lost’.
A few days later, Lord Bethell said instead his phone was ‘broken’ or ‘defective’.
Finally, in a meeting with the lawyers, he said that too was wrong, and he had given the phone to a member of his family.
But now his signed witness statement says he realises that he bought a new phone in November 2019, which he still uses.
The explanations he gave earlier related to his old one, which had a cracked screen and a defective battery, and had been used by a family member.
His explanation as to why text and WhatsApp messages relating to government business have been lost is complicated.
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
The main problem with this Government is that they appear to believe that you can fool all of the people, all of the time.
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
Tory vice-chair 'quits in protest at sleaze' and tells friends 'he is unable to support government' as under-fire Boris is forced to cancel Cabinet away-day at Chequers and calls press conference at 4.30pm TONIGHT
Boris Johnson (top) is believed to have dropped plans for a Cabinet away-day at Chequers tomorrow as the frenzy threatens to engulf the party. The Conservatives have confirmed that Andrew Bowie (bottom), tipped as a rising star, has stepped back from his vice-chair role. A spokeswoman insisted he wanted to focus on his Scottish constituency, but he has reportedly told friends he is 'unable to support the government' in the wake of the Owen Paterson debacle. The crisis shows no sign of easing today, with former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox coming under more fire over his £1million-a-year legal work.
Where IS Geoffrey Cox? Questions over whereabouts of under-fire Tory MP who is 'abroad' amid storm over work for Caribbean tax haven- as he advertises for caseworker to help with workload
Reporters visiting Sir Geoffrey Cox's West Devon home yesterday were told he was 'abroad'.
Tawdry truth about the Dishonourable Member for the Virgin Islands: Shamed Geoffrey Cox has only spoken ONCE in Commons in 18 months... but he's appeared at Caribbean court for ten days while MPs are sitting, writes GUY ADAMS
GUY ADAMS: In contrast to his silence in Westminster, Sir Geoffrey Cox QC found sufficient time to appear at the British Virgin Islands inquiry on ten full days, speaking extensively.
STEPHEN GLOVER: If Boris Johnson thinks he can extricate his party from sleaze with easy charm, disaster awaits
STEPHEN GLOVER: The Tories are in the grip of a crisis of sleaze. Yet the Prime Minister seems not to have noticed. Or is it that he doesn't care? The latest episode concerns Sir Geoffrey Cox.
Tory and his £250,000 goldmine: Daniel Kawczynski raked in a fortune from second job with mining company... and holds government role linked to the industry
Daniel Kawczynski is a consultant for a New York-based corporation that pays him a £36,000 salary. At the same time, he is the PM's trade envoy for Mongolia, which has large mineral deposits.
MPs face crackdown on second jobs gravy train: Boris Johnson urges colleagues to focus on their constituencies as standards committee looks to ban them from working as consultants
A review by the Commons standards committee could lead to a ban on MPs working as consultants for private firms after the practice came under more scrutiny in the wake of the Owen Paterson scandal.
Tory MP who asked questions in Parliament warning ministers not to crack down on gambling is paid £24,000-a-year by betting industry body
Laurence Robertson, the Tory MP for Tewkesbury, works as a 'parliamentary adviser' for the Betting and Gaming Council and has spoken out on the Government's gambling review.
Upminster company makes millions after being fast-tracked for PPE contracts.
Uniserve is based in Hall Lane in Upminster.
A company based in Upminster has secured government contracts worth more than £800 million via a controversial ‘VIP’ system.
Uniserve did not have to compete for PPE contracts, worth more than £300 million, despite having no previous experience supplying the equipment according to an investigation by the Good Law Project.
The logistics firm was also given a £572 million contract to provide freight services for the supply of PPE and has seen its profits rise from £1.1 million in 2018 to £38.1 million in June 2020.
It is one of several businesses that were awarded contracts through a ‘VIP’ fast-track system, meaning they were referred to the Department of Health by an associate of a government minister or adviser.
The company is based at the same address as MP and Cabinet Office minister Julia Lopez in Hall Lane, Upminster.
Julia Lopez MP with Uniserve founder Iain Liddell.
Uniserve has more recently been at the center of a PPE storage scandal in Suffolk that has been costing the government £1 million a day.
The Department of Health paid the logistics firm around £124 million for “storage costs” and “other programme expenditure” between June and September 2021.
An investigation by East Anglia Bylines found this was to pay for large amounts of unused PPE stuck in shipping containers near the Port of Felixstowe.
It discovered so much excess equipment came into the port that thousands of containers had to be moved to several sites across Suffolk.
A report by Transparency International UK found the way the government responded to bids for PPE contracts was “partisan and systemically biased in favour of those with political access”.
It looked at nearly 1,000 contracts worth a total of £18 billion and said: “critical safeguards designed to prevent corruption were suspended without adequate justification”.
“It is very surprising that the UK Government prioritised recommendations from politicians given that in most other areas of economic activity this type of association raises red flags and triggers further scrutiny, not the opposite, and they are not known for their expertise in procuring medical equipment,” read a statement in the report.
“What is even more surprising is that it did not engage professionals, such as the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, who had obvious expertise and a ready supply of offers from trusted suppliers that could have helped deliver critical materials during this crisis period.
“Adopting such an approach adds credence to the view that cronyism determined the award of contracts, rather than suitability for the job.”
Mrs Lopez has not responded to a request for comment.
Comments
ANDREW PIERCE: No one even bothered to tell Owen Paterson (inset) about the U-turn to save him from suspension. He was in a supermarket when he was telephoned by a BBC journalist, who broke it to him that the Government had abandoned him. Paterson realised he was trapped. The U-turn meant he was now the new poster boy for Tory sleaze. By 11am yesterday he was consulting friends and family about whether to quit altogether. His departure was the final act in what was a political farce from beginning to end. Perhaps if Boris (left) had bothered to inform himself of the findings of the standards committee - which in its 169-page report found Paterson was guilty of an 'egregious' breach of the MPs code - the Government would not be in such a mess. (Right: The Garrick Club where Boris plotted to save Paterson from suspension)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10167609/ANDREW-PIERCE-political-fiasco-humbled-Boris-Johnson.html
GUY ADAMS: Had the PM bothered to actually read the report detailing Owen Paterson's misdemeanours, he'd have quickly realised that this was an open-and-shut case. Or, to put things another way, his backbench chum's woes were entirely self-inflicted. The rules clearly forbid MPs from lobbying on behalf of paying clients, or from using their position as a Parliamentarian to confer a 'financial or material benefit' upon them. There is one loophole. It involves 'exceptional' and very limited circumstances where they are seeking to highlight 'a serious wrong or substantial injustice'. In other words, when the MP is acting as a sort of whistleblower.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10167391/Anatomy-corruption-Owen-Paterson-took-500-000-lobby-paymasters.html
And that they continue to do so, ignoring the fact that they keep getting caught doing this.
The main problem for Labour is that, despite having a far more electable leader than Corbyn, and people regularly seeing this Government for the self-serving, greedy gets they undoubtedly are, they still trail in the polls...
Clean up your act, Boris! As Owen Paterson corruption row rages, voters say this government is mired in worst sleaze for decades
A Daily Mail poll reveals that Boris Johnson is leading the 'sleaziest' government in more than 40 years of British politics and is considered more than twice as 'sleazy' as Labour's Sir Keir Starmer. In the week that the Owen Paterson scandal led to accusations of a return to Tory corruption, voters believe MPs should be ordered to give up lucrative second jobs outside Parliament, with claims of wrong-doing investigated by a High Court judge, not politicians themselves, the survey found. But even amid widespread criticism of his bungled handling of an attempt to ditch the parliamentary standards system, the Prime Minister is still ahead of Sir Keir in the personal ratings war.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10170999/Owen-Paterson-corruption-row-rages-voters-say-government-mired-worst-sleaze-decades.html
The shambles at Number 10! Knives are out for Jacob Rees-Mogg and Chief Whip Mark Spencer as Boris Johnson is told to 'clear out' No10's top team of Yes Men after sleaze debacle
Allies of Boris Johnson last night told him to sort out the 'shambles' in No 10 as backbenchers warned his authority has been 'truly shattered'. Senior Conservatives urged the Prime Minister to conduct a major overhaul of his top team in the wake of his botched handling of the Owen Paterson sleaze row. Lord Moylan, an adviser to Mr Johnson during his time as London mayor, said the Prime Minister was being 'let down badly' by both his ministers and inner circle in Downing Street.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10171073/The-knives-Jacob-Rees-Mogg-Chief-Whip-PM-told-clear-No10-team.html
Boris vs the sleaze watchdogs: Now PM REFUSES to tell Commons regulator how much his Marbella freebie holiday was worth ... as he ALSO faces new 'wallpapergate' probe after botched attempt to block MP's lobbying punishment
Downing Street confirmed this morning that the Johnsons' October stay at the Marbella home of Lord Goldsmith would not be placed on the register of MPs' financial interests.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10169337/Boris-Johnson-REFUSES-tell-Commons-sleaze-watchdog-Marbella-family-holiday-worth.html
Now scandal-hit Owen Paterson resigns from his business roles after stepping down as MP
Owen Paterson announced he is 'stepping aside' from his consultancy roles with a health firm and a sausage manufacturer after he was found to have lobbied ministers and officials on their behalf.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10171189/Now-scandal-hit-Owen-Paterson-resigns-business-roles-stepping-MP.html
Two years, 43 U-turns: How the Prime Minister has caved in over and over again
In the past two years, despite commanding a large majority in the Commons and strong support in the polls, the Prime Minister has been forced to cave in on everything.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10171145/Two-years-43-U-turns-Prime-Minister-caved-again.html
I think the continued support for the Tories is understandable while they have been giving money away hand over fist.
There are some tough times ahead.
I think the general public are likely to be less forgiving, when making ends meet becomes more of a struggle.
It would seem that those that are likely to be unaffected will be their core voters.
Those that are likely to be most affected will probably be Labour voters, and those that the Tories borrowed from Labour at the last election.
The controversy over Lord Bethell’s phone emerged in August, when letters from the Government’s legal department said that after he confirmed he had sent the texts and messages relating to the deal from his phone, he first said he could not produce them because the handset had been ‘lost’.
A few days later, Lord Bethell said instead his phone was ‘broken’ or ‘defective’.
Finally, in a meeting with the lawyers, he said that too was wrong, and he had given the phone to a member of his family.
But now his signed witness statement says he realises that he bought a new phone in November 2019, which he still uses.
The explanations he gave earlier related to his old one, which had a cracked screen and a defective battery, and had been used by a family member.
His explanation as to why text and WhatsApp messages relating to government business have been lost is complicated.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/tory-peer-lord-bethell-changes-story-again-over-90m-covid-contracts/ar-AAQqnNL?ocid=msedgntp
Boris Johnson (top) is believed to have dropped plans for a Cabinet away-day at Chequers tomorrow as the frenzy threatens to engulf the party. The Conservatives have confirmed that Andrew Bowie (bottom), tipped as a rising star, has stepped back from his vice-chair role. A spokeswoman insisted he wanted to focus on his Scottish constituency, but he has reportedly told friends he is 'unable to support the government' in the wake of the Owen Paterson debacle. The crisis shows no sign of easing today, with former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox coming under more fire over his £1million-a-year legal work.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10185721/TTory-vice-chair-quits-protest-PM-cancels-Cabinet-away-day-amid-sleaze-chaos.html
Where IS Geoffrey Cox? Questions over whereabouts of under-fire Tory MP who is 'abroad' amid storm over work for Caribbean tax haven- as he advertises for caseworker to help with workload
Reporters visiting Sir Geoffrey Cox's West Devon home yesterday were told he was 'abroad'.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10185877/Where-Geoffrey-Cox-Questions-whereabouts-fire-Tory-MP.html
Tawdry truth about the Dishonourable Member for the Virgin Islands: Shamed Geoffrey Cox has only spoken ONCE in Commons in 18 months... but he's appeared at Caribbean court for ten days while MPs are sitting, writes GUY ADAMS
GUY ADAMS: In contrast to his silence in Westminster, Sir Geoffrey Cox QC found sufficient time to appear at the British Virgin Islands inquiry on ten full days, speaking extensively.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10183845/GUY-ADAMS-Shamed-Geoffrey-Cox-appeared-Caribbean-court-ten-days-MPs-sitting.html
STEPHEN GLOVER: If Boris Johnson thinks he can extricate his party from sleaze with easy charm, disaster awaits
STEPHEN GLOVER: The Tories are in the grip of a crisis of sleaze. Yet the Prime Minister seems not to have noticed. Or is it that he doesn't care? The latest episode concerns Sir Geoffrey Cox.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10183797/STEPHEN-GLOVER-Disaster-awaits-Boris-Johnson-amid-grip-crisis-sleaze.html
Tory and his £250,000 goldmine: Daniel Kawczynski raked in a fortune from second job with mining company... and holds government role linked to the industry
Daniel Kawczynski is a consultant for a New York-based corporation that pays him a £36,000 salary. At the same time, he is the PM's trade envoy for Mongolia, which has large mineral deposits.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10184165/MP-earned-250K-second-job-mining-firm-holds-government-role-linked-industry.html
MPs face crackdown on second jobs gravy train: Boris Johnson urges colleagues to focus on their constituencies as standards committee looks to ban them from working as consultants
A review by the Commons standards committee could lead to a ban on MPs working as consultants for private firms after the practice came under more scrutiny in the wake of the Owen Paterson scandal.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10183793/MPs-face-crackdown-second-jobs-gravy-train-PM-urges-colleagues-focus-constituencies.html
Tory MP who asked questions in Parliament warning ministers not to crack down on gambling is paid £24,000-a-year by betting industry body
Laurence Robertson, the Tory MP for Tewkesbury, works as a 'parliamentary adviser' for the Betting and Gaming Council and has spoken out on the Government's gambling review.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10184569/Conservative-MP-paid-betting-group-spoke-Governments-gambling-laws-review.html
Uniserve is based in Hall Lane in Upminster.
A company based in Upminster has secured government contracts worth more than £800 million via a controversial ‘VIP’ system.
Uniserve did not have to compete for PPE contracts, worth more than £300 million, despite having no previous experience supplying the equipment according to an investigation by the Good Law Project.
The logistics firm was also given a £572 million contract to provide freight services for the supply of PPE and has seen its profits rise from £1.1 million in 2018 to £38.1 million in June 2020.
It is one of several businesses that were awarded contracts through a ‘VIP’ fast-track system, meaning they were referred to the Department of Health by an associate of a government minister or adviser.
The company is based at the same address as MP and Cabinet Office minister Julia Lopez in Hall Lane, Upminster.
Julia Lopez MP with Uniserve founder Iain Liddell.
Uniserve has more recently been at the center of a PPE storage scandal in Suffolk that has been costing the government £1 million a day.
The Department of Health paid the logistics firm around £124 million for “storage costs” and “other programme expenditure” between June and September 2021.
An investigation by East Anglia Bylines found this was to pay for large amounts of unused PPE stuck in shipping containers near the Port of Felixstowe.
It discovered so much excess equipment came into the port that thousands of containers had to be moved to several sites across Suffolk.
A report by Transparency International UK found the way the government responded to bids for PPE contracts was “partisan and systemically biased in favour of those with political access”.
It looked at nearly 1,000 contracts worth a total of £18 billion and said: “critical safeguards designed to prevent corruption were suspended without adequate justification”.
“It is very surprising that the UK Government prioritised recommendations from politicians given that in most other areas of economic activity this type of association raises red flags and triggers further scrutiny, not the opposite, and they are not known for their expertise in procuring medical equipment,” read a statement in the report.
“What is even more surprising is that it did not engage professionals, such as the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, who had obvious expertise and a ready supply of offers from trusted suppliers that could have helped deliver critical materials during this crisis period.
“Adopting such an approach adds credence to the view that cronyism determined the award of contracts, rather than suitability for the job.”
Mrs Lopez has not responded to a request for comment.