Inside Politics: Starmer accuses No 10 of ‘corruption’ as Paterson avoids suspension

Anger on all sides of the Commons as Tory MPs vote to rip up sleaze rules, writes Matt Mathers

(PA)

Sometimes in politics, it’s what doesn’t happen that tells the story. Yesterday, a large chunk of Tory MPs conducted the ‘smell test’ on the No 10-backed move to block Owen Paterson’s suspension for breaking lobbying rules. Some 100 of those on the government benches concluded that the stench wafting from the ripping up of standards rules to save the former minister’s skin was just too strong and therefore opted to away from the vote by abstaining. Nonetheless, the amendment passed, albeit by a slim majority. But at what cost to the government? Labour, sensing an opportunity to inflict maximum damage, increased the intensity of its attacks last night, with Keir Starmer, the former director of public prosecutions, going as far as to brand the move “corruption”. For Paterson’s part, he says he did nothing wrong and No 10 insists the system is unfair and needs changing. Worryingly for Downing Street though, it’s not just Labour criticising the move – an increasing number of Conservatives in the Commons and in the media are too. It was the smell test that got David Cameron, who didn’t even break any rules, into so much trouble with his lobbying activities for Greensill Capital. His case is one that sticks in the mind and one that got some cut through with the general public. That yesterday’s events in parliament make the front page of this morning’s Daily Mail is a good indicator that this scandal might too. Once again, the PM has left himself open to accusations of “it’s one rule for them and another for everyone else”.

Inside the bubble

Transport questions from 9.30am before a business statement by Tory MP and Commons leader, Jacob Rees-Mogg. Culture secretary Nadine Dorries, Digital minister Chris Philp and Security minister Damian Hinds. Are questioned at the Joint Online Safety Bill at 9.45am.

Coming up:

– Labour chair Anneliese Dodds on Sky News at 8.05am

– Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on LBC at 8.20am

Daily Briefing

‘SHAM’: Just hours after his deputy Angela Rayner at PMQs accused the government of “wallowing in sleaze” over the Paterson case, a furious Starmer doubled down by accusing No 10 of green-lighting “corruption”. He said his party will boycott the “complete and utter sham” process approved by MPs on Wednesday. Johnson secured an 18-vote majority in the Commons to prevent Paterson’s suspension and to create a new Tory-dominated committee to dictate changes to the way standards allegations are investigated. The Lib Dems and SNP have also said they will boycott the new body, which will be chaired by John Whittingdale. Tory MP Nigel Mills said it was it was “a dark day for integrity in our political system”. Parliamentary experts were urgently looking into whether it will be possible even to constitute the body, as the Commons vote specified that it must include four opposition MPs alongside five Tories. Last night, an unrepentant Paterson said he wouldn’t hesitate to do the same again and insisted that he will “clear his name” following “two years of hell” after he was found to have broken lobbying rules.

COAL GOALS: Although Cop26 has been pushed down the news agenda somewhat due to the “big dogs” leaving and the Paterson case filling up most front pages, negotiators are still toiling away at the crucial climate talks in Glasgow. A group of 190 countries and organisations will agree to commit to the end of coal power at the Cop26 climate summit, the UK government has announced. Major coal countries Poland and Vietnam are among 18 nations committing to phase out the use of the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel for the first time, the government said. Coal-fired power is the single largest driver of global temperature rise and ending its use will be crucial to getting the world on track for limiting global temperatures to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, the aspiration of the Paris Agreement. Announcing the news, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said it marked “a milestone moment in our global efforts to tackle climate change”. Labour says “glaring gaps remain” in the government’s plan to end the burning of the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel.

FROST IN PARIS: Brexit minister Lord Frost will meet France’s Europe minister Clement Beaune in Paris today in an attempt to end a bitter dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights. France has threatened sanctions over what it perceives as a refusal to issue licences to its trawlers to operate in UK waters. Tensions over the issue are likely to ratchet up after some slight reprieve earlier this week when Jersey granted new licences to French fishermen and with the Cop26 summit serving as a slight distraction. Meanwhile, the EU has flat-out rejected a British demand to end any role for European court judges in Northern Ireland. Speaking on Wednesday evening the European Commission’s vice president Frans Timmermans said it was “extremely well-known in London” that the demand to ditch the European Court of Justice could not be met. UK Brexit minister Lord Frost has said the ECJ should be replaced with an independent arbitration panel and that it can have no role in settling disputes in Northern Ireland.

CYBER ATTACK: Labour has revealed that personal information given by party members and supporters is among data breached in a “cyber incident” at a firm which helps run its IT systems. The opposition said it had been told a “significant quantity of party data” had been affected by the incident on 29 October, and has reported the matter to the authorities. The National Crime Agency (NCA), National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have all been informed, the party said. In a statement to members, Labour said: “A third party that handles data on our behalf has been subject to a cyber incident. The incident had resulted in a significant quantity of party data being rendered inaccessible on their systems.”

PRESS FREEDOM ROW: Campaigners for press freedom are fighting back against government attempts to crack down on reporting of official information. They are calling for an end to efforts to stifle journalism through “draconian” proposals in the Official Secrets Act and attempts to weaken Freedom of Information laws.The government plans to make it easier under the Official Secrets Act to convict whistleblowers and journalists who publish information in the public interest without authority. And anyone convicted could be jailed for up to 14 years, instead of two, as now.

On the record

“No, I wouldn’t hesitate tomorrow. Absolutely.”

Paterson when asked if he would do the same again.

From the Twitterati

“Turns out it’s not just badgers who move the goalposts.”

Sunday Times political commentator Tim Shipman on Paterson case.

Essential reading

• Tom Peck, The Independent: The Tories’ actions on Paterson case were so foul, the stench might never clear
• Michael Heseltine, The Independent: The next generation will reject Brexit – Europe will welcome us back
• Tim Ross, The New Statesman: Tory MPs feel voter fury after Johnson blocks sleaze sanctions against Owen Paterson
• Julie Bindel, UnHerd: Kathleen Stock – I won’t be silenced

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