Key Sentence:
- Former secretary Owen Patterson could be removed from the ward for 30 days after lawmakers’ regulators found he had “repeatedly” used his MP position to benefit the two companies that paid him an advisor.
The guard described his actions as a “flagrant case of intercession.” In response, the Conservative MP said. “The process I went through was not natural justice.” “I am innocent, and a fair trial will acquit me,” he added.
Patterson said the trial was a “significant factor” in the death of his wife, Rose, who took his life last year.
The committee said the allegations relate to events that preceded Patterson’s death. Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Catherine Stone has opened an investigation into the North Shropshire MP. After accusing her of campaigning for the two companies that employed her.
Their report said he was a paid adviser to Randox and Lynn’s Country Foods and consulted with ministers at the Food Standards Agency and the Department of International Development on business. The Commissioner also notes that Mr. Patterson has violated the Member’s Code of Conduct by using his parliamentary office 25 times between October 2016. And February 2020 for business meetings with clients and two business interest letters in the notebook with the head of the House of Commons.
The report noted no direct financial benefits for the two companies. Still, Mr. Patterson “can provide significant long-term and even short-term benefits for Randox and Lynn to enable a meeting. That would not have been possible without them.” Mr. Patterson’s participation. ‘
The Standards Committee has recommended that Patterson, the former Secretary of Northern Ireland. Be removed from Parliament for 30 days, which is now under discussion. If a parliamentary committee recalls an MP for more than ten days. This could automatically trigger resignation, leading to a by-election in his place.
Mr. Patterson categorically denies any wrongdoing.
The former environment minister said he was “absolutely shocked” by the report’s recommendations. He said he wanted to warn environmental agencies about the carcinogenic products in milk and ham. Defending his approach as “absolutely correct” and arguing that it had “saved lives.”
“If it happened again this morning, I would do it again,” he added.
The MP accused the Commissioner and the Commission of speaking to him several months after the investigation and failing to hear his 17 witnesses. He claimed that he was found guilty by the Commissioner “without an interview” and that “no proper investigation has been carried out.” A Randox spokesman said he was aware of the report and added. “Randox does not want or need to comment on this investigation. This is a matter for Mr. Patterson and the relevant parliamentary body.”