Bolton MPs react to vote to save Tory MP from suspension

ALL three of Bolton’s MPs voted a different way on a controversial vote to change the rules on how MPs’ conduct is policed.

The government has faced widespread backlash and accusations of ‘corruption’ after protecting former minister Owen Paterson from an immediate suspension while seeking to rewrite the Commons disciplinary process.

Mr Paterson was set to be suspended from Parliament for 30 sitting days after it found he repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.

However, an amendment was passed by the Commons by 250 to 232 to establish a new, Conservative-led, committee to reconsider both Mr Paterson’s case and whether a new standards system is needed.

Bolton South East MP, Yasmin Qureshi

Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South East, voted against the motion, Chris Green, Conservative MP for Bolton West and Atherton voted for the amendment, and Bolton North East MP, Mark Logan, abstained from the vote.

All gave different reasons for acting in the way that they did.

Ms Qureshi said: “Owen Paterson’s behaviour shows a clear contempt for his constituents and his role in public office. He has made substantial financial gain and provided back-channels for private interests. The Government whipping Tory MPs to back the Leadsom amendment and abolish the committee is very concerning for our democracy. This is in effect someone having their homework marked by an external body, deciding they don’t like it, and changing their mark.

“What’s more, this decision reeks of hypocrisy and double standards. The MP for Delyn, Rob Roberts, was found to have sexually harassed staff members, and when Colleagues from across the house tried to amend legislation to force a by-election, the Government claimed they could not apply legislation retrospectively. Yet here they are doing just that.”

Chris Green, MP for Bolton West and Atherton

Mr Green, having voted for the motion, said: “Nothing that has been said or done is likely to change the outcome of the Standards Committee decision but most people will expect there to be a right of appeal. Most people would consider this to be natural justice and it is what they themselves would expect if they were to go through a comparable process.”

Mark Logan, who narrowly won the ‘red wall’ seat of Bolton North East in 2019, was one of more than 90 Tory MPs to abstain from the vote, with 13 rebelling against their party.

Bolton MP Mark Logan did not vote with the government over plans to review the system of upholding standards

Mr Logan said: “ I believe in the end that given the findings of the independent commission, I would not be able to vote for a motion that would overrule the findings that were laid out.

“This is not only from the perspective of my own personal assessment of the findings, but also in relation to how just or unjust this would feel to people in Bolton.

“Whatever happens next, I believe, and echoing comments from No.10, that it is essential that all in parliament uphold the highest standards in relation to lobbying and indeed there must be tough and robust checks against lobbying for profit.”

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