He was slapped on the wrist by parliament’s standards watchdog after he was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.
Pleading “it’s not fair!” he triggered a vote to let him off the hook and avoid a temporary suspension after that watchdog recommended he take a breather for 30 days.
He, resultantly, then triggered a backlash against the government that included the majority of the media – and certainly the Labour Party – accusing the Tories of sleaze, then a subsequent U-turn which put his job on the line once again and now – after a chaotic 24 hours in Westminster – Owen Paterson has finally resigned as MP for North Shropshire.
It’s a cruel world, politics.
The disgraced MP said he “will remain a public servant but outside the cruel world of politics”, triggering a by-election in the seat.
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“I have today, after consultation with my family, and with much sadness decided to resign as the MP for North Shropshire,” he said in a statement.
“I maintain that I am totally innocent of what I have been accused of and I acted at all times in the interests of public health and safety.
“I, my family and those closest to me know the same. I am unable to clear my name under the current system.”
It’s been a palaver, to say the least, so reacting to his resignation, political commentators and MPs pointed out that, by dragging his heels in such an epic manner, he had likely done him and his party more harm than if he had just resigned:
The thing that’s so ridiculous is this would have all been over in 30 days if Paterson and No10 had just sucked it up rather than blowing it out of all proportion — instead his political career is over and the chief whip’s reputation is in tatters
— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) November 4, 2021
Owen Paterson’s lobbying was wrong but if no10/Tory party had left this standards shenanigans alone he would’ve had his suspension and that would be that. They’ve made it 10x worse, having thrown their arms around him and now u-turned. Huge duty of care issue. What a mess.
— Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) November 4, 2021
This has gone from a threatened suspension to a major political crisis because PM wanted to save his own skin from further investigations into his own misconduct
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) November 4, 2021
This isn’t just about one resignation - it’s about systemic weakening of parliamentary standard & rule of law https://t.co/r8qJZoFuCR
Had Paterson and No.10 just accepted his suspension, he would have likely survived any recall attempt and carried on as MP indefinitely. Instead he has damaged his own party further while leaving politics with an even worse reputation than had he just accepted his punishment.
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) November 4, 2021
Others joked that he would have more time to dedicate to the businesses he lobbied for, in an alleged breach of rules:
Full time food lobbyist Owen Paterson says he will no longer do his MP work on the side
— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) November 4, 2021
Owen Paterson has resigned to spend more time with his other jobs.
— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) November 4, 2021
In particular, people took the p*ss out of his “cruel world” line:
On your head be it Owen! Politics has not been cruel to you. By all accounts you've done very well for yourself out of it! https://t.co/qaq03eOmts
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 4, 2021
A cruel world it is indeed when you can’t line your pockets through corrupt practices and have your mates abolish the committee that holds you accountable.
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) November 4, 2021
If Owen Paterson thinks politics is a cruel world he should try raising a family on Universal Credit.
— Alan Gibbons (@mygibbo) November 4, 2021
'The cruel world of politics'
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) November 4, 2021
Give over Jimmy Three Jobs https://t.co/ADax2LWW8d
"I will remain a public servant but outside the cruel world of politics,” says Owen Paterson, as he resigns for having been exposed as a private servant - to himself and various companies that paid him for his connections inside the cruel world of politics.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) November 4, 2021
The cruel world of politics where you are *reads notes* asked not to break the lobbying rules
— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) November 4, 2021
The cruel world of politics... https://t.co/5fd1dJqq3c pic.twitter.com/biYFP6hfCZ
— Diarmaid (@diarmaidmcd) November 4, 2021
Paterson has danced his last parliamentary dance, for now. Seems like the consequences creep up on even the most Teflon of characters.
