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Boris Johnson has ditched his tendentious plans to reform the standards committee following a furious backlash from Tory backbenchers and opposition MPs.
The embarrassing U-turn comes less than 24 hours after MPs voted for a reform of the sleaze watchdog, which would save former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson – guilty of “egregious” breaches of lobbying – from suspension.
Jacob Rees-Mogg admitted the move had “created a certain amount of controversy” and promised to go back to the drawing board “once there have been cross-party discussions”.
“Certain” is an understatement. Labour and the SNP – whose MPs shouted “shame” and “disgrace” in the Chamber last night – vowed to boycott the committee.
What happens next? Chris Bryant, the current chair, suggested the committee draft a duplicate report suggesting the same sanction for Paterson when it next meets. Boris Johnson will have to endure an onslaught from journalists later today over the “kangaroo court”.
