A Conservative MP has blocked an attempt by the Government to scrap the controversial standards reforms that sparked Westminster’s sleaze row.
Veteran Tory Christopher Chope was seen to shout ‘object’ in the Commons chamber when the motion was moved, meaning it could not be approved on Monday evening.
It aimed to rescind the so-called Leadsom amendment, which looked to establish a review of the MPs standards investigation process and delay Owen Paterson’s suspension for breaking lobbying rules.
After the objection, Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans said it is now ‘up to the Government to re-programme that particular motion’.
The motion also sought to endorse the report which would have suspended former Conservative minister Mr Paterson from Parliament for 30 days if he had remained an MP.
He quit as MP for North Shropshire following the botched attempt by the Government to delay his suspension.
Chris Bryant, the Labour MP who chairs the Standards Committee that recommended Mr Paterson’s suspension, warned the Commons would ‘fall into further disrepute’ if it does not bring forward the motion ‘as soon as possible with proper time allocated’.
Mr Bryant said he had been told an hour long debate would be scheduled for Tuesday.
SNP Commons leader Pete Wishart, who was in the chamber at the time, said attempts to settle the matter swiftly on Monday night ended ‘in misery and failure’.
He added: ‘That all went badly wrong when Christopher Chope piped up to object.’
Mr Wishart claimed there were metaphorical ‘daggers being flung backwards’ at Mr Chope by Government chief whip Mark Spencer.
He added: ‘They are all in absolute utter chaos – their best intentions to have it kept from debate in the House has gone.’
Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain described the situation as a ‘total farce’.
The MP said: ‘First, the Government scheduled this motion so there would be no chance for debate. Now, the motion hasn’t passed.
‘It’s insulting that, after two weeks of this scandal, the Government couldn’t even perform their sleaze U-turn successfully. This tells you all you need to know about the state of the Conservative Party.
‘It’s vital that the Government brings this back before MPs as soon as possible.
‘Every day that goes by without this being repealed, the more embarrassing this whole affair becomes. We must move forward.’
For Labour, shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire said: ‘Two weeks ago the Prime Minister forced Tory MPs to tear up the rules on standards just to protect one of their own. Now they can’t even clear up their own mess.
‘Tonight’s farce is of the Tories’ own making and serves Boris Johnson right for trying to sneak a U-turn out at night rather than do the decent thing and come to the House to apologise for the Tory sleaze scandal.
‘At the moment, it doesn’t look like the Tories could organise a drinks party in a brewery. The Prime Minister needs to get a grip.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
from News – Metro https://ift.tt/3FhKmYS
0 Comments