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Kate Plummer
Nov 04, 2021
He was slapped on the wrist by parliament’s standards watchdog after he was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.
Pleading “it’s not fair!” he triggered a vote to let him off the hook and avoid a temporary suspension after that watchdog recommended he take a breather for 30 days.
He, resultantly, then triggered a backlash against the government that included the majority of the media – and certainly the Labour Party – accusing the Tories of sleaze, then a subsequent U-turn which put his job on the line once again and now – after a chaotic 24 hours in Westminster – Owen Paterson has finally resigned as MP for North Shropshire.
It’s a cruel world, politics.
The disgraced MP said he “will remain a public servant but outside the cruel world of politics”, triggering a by-election in the seat.
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“I have today, after consultation with my family, and with much sadness decided to resign as the MP for North Shropshire,” he said in a statement.
“I maintain that I am totally innocent of what I have been accused of and I acted at all times in the interests of public health and safety.
“I, my family and those closest to me know the same. I am unable to clear my name under the current system.”
It’s been a palaver, to say the least, so reacting to his resignation, political commentators and MPs pointed out that, by dragging his heels in such an epic manner, he had likely done him and his party more harm than if he had just resigned:
The thing that’s so ridiculous is this would have all been over in 30 days if Paterson and No10 had just sucked it… https://t.co/wY5HpRezDd— Alex Wickham (@Alex Wickham) 1636036733
Owen Paterson’s lobbying was wrong but if no10/Tory party had left this standards shenanigans alone he would’ve had… https://t.co/lMOHOOq5s6— Jane Merrick (@Jane Merrick) 1636037312
Had Paterson and No.10 just accepted his suspension, he would have likely survived any recall attempt and carried o… https://t.co/eBvCZgemuK— Adam Bienkov (@Adam Bienkov) 1636037957
Others joked that he would have more time to dedicate to the businesses he lobbied for, in an alleged breach of rules:
Full time food lobbyist Owen Paterson says he will no longer do his MP work on the side— Matt Chorley (@Matt Chorley) 1636036487
Owen Paterson has resigned to spend more time with his other jobs.— Mollie Goodfellow (@Mollie Goodfellow) 1636036707
In particular, people took the p*ss out of his “cruel world” line:
On your head be it Owen! Politics has not been cruel to you. By all accounts you've done very well for yourself out… https://t.co/uenZ2mKu74— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1636037192
A cruel world it is indeed when you can’t line your pockets through corrupt practices and have your mates abolish t… https://t.co/DsTNCnFhOf— The Secret Barrister (@The Secret Barrister) 1636037787
If Owen Paterson thinks politics is a cruel world he should try raising a family on Universal Credit.— Alan Gibbons (@Alan Gibbons) 1636038002
'The cruel world of politics' Give over Jimmy Three Jobs https://t.co/ADax2LWW8d— Nooruddean (@Nooruddean) 1636036929
"I will remain a public servant but outside the cruel world of politics,” says Owen Paterson, as he resigns for hav… https://t.co/JwT2J071X4— Tom Peck (@Tom Peck) 1636036653
The cruel world of politics where you are *reads notes* asked not to break the lobbying rules— Mollie Goodfellow (@Mollie Goodfellow) 1636036607
The cruel world of politics... https://t.co/5fd1dJqq3c https://t.co/biYFP6hfCZ— Diarmaid (@Diarmaid) 1636037007
Paterson has danced his last parliamentary dance, for now. Seems like the consequences creep up on even the most Teflon of characters.
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