How West MPs voted on ‘sleaze rules’ issue

FOUR Devon Conservative MPs and five in Cornwall played their part in a historic vote on Wednesday which will tear up the independent system for combating sleaze among MPs.

There has been a huge backlash over the move to rescue former cabinet minister Owen Paterson from a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons. The MP for North Shropshire was found to have committed an “egregious” breach of lobbying rules.

The former Environment Secretary, who resigned as an MP yesterday, had been facing the 30-day suspension from the Commons after the Standards Committee found he repeatedly used his position as an MP to promote two companies that paid him a combined £112,000 a year.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered his Conservative MPs to back an amendment to reform the Commons standards system instead, and save Mr Paterson from sanction.

The bid was passed by 250 votes to 232, a majority of 18. Some MPs shouted “shame” as the result was read out.

In favour of the amendment were Conservative MPs including Anthony Mangnall (Totnes); Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot); Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton); Selaine Saxby (North Devon); Derek Thomas (St Ives); George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth); Steve Double (Newquay and St Austell); Scott Mann (North Cornwall) and Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall).

Against it were Labour MPs Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) and Luke Pollard (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport).

Six Devon Conservative MPs and one MP in Cornwall had no votes recorded, which could mean that they abstained, or they had been given permission by the party whips to miss the vote.

They were Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon); Kevin Foster (Torbay); Simon Jupp (East Devon); Johnny Mercer (Plymouth Moor View); Gary Streeter (South West Devon); Mel Stride (Central Devon) and Cherilyn Mackrory (Truro and Falmouth).

Mr Foster’s office has confirmed that he was overseas on official business in his role as a Government Minister.