Boris Johnson says MPs should be BANNED from being paid lobbyists in major second jobs crackdown
MPS should be BANNED from being paid lobbyists, Boris Johnson announced today in a major crackdown that wrongfooted Sir Keir Starmer.
They also face punishment for devoting more time to lucrative second jobs rather than serving their voters.
The PM has called for "MPs who are prioritising outside interests over their constituents are investigated and appropriately punished".
He also recommended to the Commons Speaker that "MPs are banned from acting as paid political consultants or lobbyists".
It would stop MPs like Sir Geoffrey Cox making money on the side while barely turning up to Parliament.
The PM's proposals blindsided Sir Keir, who was unveiling his own blanket ban on second jobs at a press conference at the time.
Reacting on his feet, the Labour leader claimed victory for forcing the Government's hand ahead of an Opposition motion demand a ban tomorrow.
MPs' second jobs have come under the microscope after Owen Paterson was found to have breached rules by using his position to benefit two firms.
Randox and Lynn's County Foods paid him more than £100,000 a year as a consultant.
OWEN GOAL
The ex-minister was today finally condemned by MPs as Mr Johnson hoped to draw a line under a hellish fortnight of sleaze saga.
But in a sign that the row has seriously scarred the Tory Party his backbenchers descended into furious infighting.
Almost two weeks after the PM abandoned a controversial bid to save the ex-minister from a Commons suspension, MPs approved a motion to endorse his guilty verdict.
They also reversed Government plans to overhaul Parliament's standards processes after it was shot down by opposition parties.
Ministers tried to slip the U-turn through yesterday without fuss but it was vetoed by veteran Tory rebel Sir Christopher Chope who yelled "object".
It meant the Government's pain was prolonged an extra day before MPs finally nodded through the motion today.
In a fiery blue-on-blue spat 2019 Tory Alicia Kearns challenged Sir Christopher on why on earth he wanted more time spent discussing the Paterson affair.
The Rutland MP said: "How much time does he want us to give? Is it five hours? Ten hours? When will it be enough?"
Sir Christopher shot back that Ms Kearns "hasn't applied her mind", which prompted groans from fellow Conservatives.
Fuming Ms Kearns despaired sarcastically "I am a woman".
The Paterson furore has damaged the Tory Party and left backbenchers angry with the Government.
Ex-PM Theresa May said today the botched bid to save Mr Paterson "ill-judged and just plain wrong".
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has expressed "regret", telling MPs an amendment to save a former Tory MP from suspension was a "mistake"
His Labour opposite number Thangam Debbonaire raged: "Standards matter. Scrutiny matters.
"An independent system of holding everyone in public life to account matters. Standards should not be seen or treated as an irksome bother that you get your mates to change when you're found out.
"It should not be seen as something to be feared or something to be treated with such disdain, frankly incompetence, and a total absence of leadership as we've seen from this sorry Government over this sorry affair."
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