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Sat, 2 August 2025
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Owen Paterson MP

Owen Paterson MP

@OwenPaterson

Conservative MP for North Shropshire

Engaging, thoughtful and funny: Kathryn Stone reviews 'Code of Conduct'
Books & culture
By Kathryn Stone
Engaging, thoughtful and funny: Kathryn Stone reviews 'Code of Conduct'
A powerful examination of parliamentary conduct and the eroding of standards, Chris Bryant’s book begins on 3 November 2021 – a day I will always remember
Owen Paterson Notes 'Irony' Of ECHR Appeal, Army Could Support NHS, On-shore Wind U-Turn Hinted
Political parties
Owen Paterson Notes "Irony" Of ECHR Appeal, Army Could Support NHS, On-shore Wind U-Turn Hinted
Former Conservative MP Owen Paterson has acknowledged the "irony" of his decision to launch a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) appeal into a House of Commons probe that found he broke its rules on paid lobbying, despite being a vocal opponent of the European institution.
The Lib Dems Have Stunned The Tories With A Shock By-Election Win In North Shropshire
Communities
The Lib Dems Have Stunned The Tories With A Shock By-Election Win In North Shropshire
The Liberal Democrats have won the North Shropshire by-election from the Tories, after a tense battle for the seat in a campaign fraught with allegations of scandals involving Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Is This The Beginning Of The End For Boris Johnson?
Political parties
Is This The Beginning Of The End For Boris Johnson?
This weekend marks two years since Boris Johnson’s spectacular general election victory, but after a politically catastrophic seven days in Downing Street, there are now serious questions over whether he’ll make it to the next one.
How MPs Could Be Hit By Proposed Changes To Parliament’s Code Of Conduct
Political parties
How MPs Could Be Hit By Proposed Changes To Parliament’s Code Of Conduct
The standards committee has recommended a host of changes to the rules which govern MPs' conduct, including second jobs, after a major row over sleaze.
Boris Johnson Would Be Forced To Declare Cost Of Spain Holiday Under New MP Rules
Political parties
Boris Johnson Would Be Forced To Declare Cost Of Spain Holiday Under New MP Rules
New rules recommended by the Commons standards committee on how MPs declare gifts would force Boris Johnson to reveal how much his free holiday to a luxury Spanish villa would have cost the minister who owns it.
Minister Insists Tory Party Isn't 'Sleaze Ridden' As Second Jobs Row Rages On
Political parties
Minister Insists Tory Party Isn't 'Sleaze Ridden' As Second Jobs Row Rages On
Conservative party chairman Oliver Dowden has rejected the claim that the government is "sleaze ridden" as MPs prepare to overturn the controversial amendment tabled by ministers that ignited the row over standards and second jobs.
Government Plans To 'Unpick' Their Vote To Overhaul The Standards Committee Next Week
Political parties
Government Plans To "Unpick" Their Vote To Overhaul The Standards Committee Next Week
MPs are set to get a vote next week on a motion that will overturn last week's controversial amendment on Standards, which led to furious backlash on both sides of the House of Commons.
Minister Expresses 'Regret' Over Botched Attempt To Tear Up Standards Rules After Lobbying Scandal
Political parties
Minister Expresses "Regret" Over Botched Attempt To Tear Up Standards Rules After Lobbying Scandal
Cabinet office minister Stephen Barclay has apologised on behalf of the government for last week's chaotic attempt at standards reform, during an emergency Commons sleaze debate prompted by a U-turn on the matter.
Boris Johnson Refuses To Apologise For His Handling Of The Paterson Lobbying Scandal
Political parties
Boris Johnson Refuses To Apologise For His Handling Of The Paterson Lobbying Scandal
Boris Johnson has turned down an opportunity to apologise for his party’s botched attempt to reform parliament’s standards watchdog.
The standards system for MPs is independent and effective: but it can still be improved
Political parties
By Arun Midha
The standards system for MPs is independent and effective: but it can still be improved
At the heart of the Owen Paterson affair was a dispute over independence. Should MPs’ conduct as members of a sovereign legislature be judged only by other MPs as well as by their electorates, or should their actions be subject also to independent scrutiny?
Standards Committee Considers Tightening Sanction Appeals Process After Owen Paterson Lobbying Row
Political parties
Standards Committee Considers Tightening Sanction Appeals Process After Owen Paterson Lobbying Row
A lay member of the Standards Committee has defended the "thorough and fair" system but suggests existing appeals routes could be changed.
Keir Starmer Calls For Suspended MPs To Be Blocked From Getting Peerages
Political parties
Keir Starmer Calls For Suspended MPs To Be Blocked From Getting Peerages
Keir Starmer has urged the chair of the Lords Appointment Commission to “put on the record” that suspended MPs should not be given seats in the Lords amid the fallout from Owen Paterson’s resignation.
Has Boris Johnson Really Damaged His Party With No.10’s Shambolic Handing Of The Paterson Saga?
Political parties
Has Boris Johnson Really Damaged His Party With No.10’s Shambolic Handing Of The Paterson Saga?
When Boris Johnson travelled to Glasgow on Sunday to host the COP26 climate change summit, he probably didn't expect that by Friday, No.10 would be reeling from one of its biggest crises yet.
Minister Admits 'Mistake' Over Botched Attempt To Reform Parliament's Watchdog
Political parties
Minister Admits "Mistake" Over Botched Attempt To Reform Parliament's Watchdog
Nadhim Zahawi has admitted it was a “mistake” for the Conservative party to conflate wanting to reform parliament’s watchdog with the case of Owen Paterson.
What Will Happen To Commons Misconduct System After Government U-Turn On Reforms?
Political parties
What Will Happen To Commons Misconduct System After Government U-Turn On Reforms?
It's been a tumultuous 24hours in Downing Street, culminating in the resignation of an MP, and new plans to bring forward a motion to undo a vote that would have up-ended the parliamentary standards system in an effort to exonerate him from accusations of breaking lobbying rules.
Owen Paterson Resigns As MP After Paid Lobbying Scandal
Political parties
Owen Paterson Resigns As MP After Paid Lobbying Scandal
Conservative MP Owen Paterson has resigned over his role in a paid lobbying scandal, following a tumultuous 24 hours in which the government made a botched attempt to re-write standards rules.
Business Secretary Has No Shame 'At All' Over Owen Paterson Saga As Government Faces Major Backlash
Political parties
Business Secretary Has No Shame "At All" Over Owen Paterson Saga As Government Faces Major Backlash
Business Secretary Kwasi Karteng has said "I don't feel shame at all" over the government's contentious move to overturn the suspension of a Conservative MP who was found to have breached parliament's lobbying rules.
Furious Tory Rebels Condemn 'Shambolic' Vote To Overturn MP Suspension And Rewrite Standards Rules
Political parties
Furious Tory Rebels Condemn "Shambolic" Vote To Overturn MP Suspension And Rewrite Standards Rules
Tory rebels have expressed significant unease over their party voting in favour of reforming parliament’s standards watchdog as part of a wider effort to prevent Conservative MP Owen Paterson from facing a 30-day suspension from the Commons.
Boris Johnson Insists Paid Lobbying Is 'Wrong' As Government Scrambles To Overhaul Rules For MP Standards
Political parties
Boris Johnson Insists Paid Lobbying Is "Wrong" As Government Scrambles To Overhaul Rules For MP Standards
Boris Johnson has defended a controversial plan to overhaul parliamentary standards rules after Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said that when the government "break the rules, they just remake the rules".
Tory MP Owen Paterson pays tribute to ‘wonderful, caring’ wife after she is found dead at their family home
Political parties
Tory MP Owen Paterson pays tribute to ‘wonderful, caring’ wife after she is found dead at their family home
The wife of former Cabinet minister Owen Paterson has been found dead at their family home in Shropshire.
The UK needs to be prepared to exploit the extraordinary benefits of global free trade
Brexit
By Owen Paterson MP
The UK needs to be prepared to exploit the extraordinary benefits of global free trade

The EU needs to recognise the mutual advantage of coming to a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with a friendly neighbour, says Owen Paterson MP.
Closing the UK’s ivory trade is a statement of intent on environmental issues
Environment
By Owen Paterson MP
Closing the UK’s ivory trade is a statement of intent on environmental issues

The impact of internal markets is driving up demand for ivory. It’s vital we live up to our reputation as a global authority on conservation and ban the trade here at home, writes Owen Paterson