UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of corruption after he supported a vote to protect a Tory MP from suspension.
The Tory MP in question, Owen Paterson, the former secretary of state for Northern Ireland, is accused of violating the House of Commons rules on lobbying. Paterson was receiving money for consulting work for Randox, a clinical diagnostics company and Lynn’s Country Foods, a meat processor. The allegations claim he was receiving money from the private companies to ask questions on their behalf.
The vote to suspend Paterson was defeated by 18 votes, including the one cast by Johnson.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the government of ‘wallowing in sleaze’.
There were cries of “shame” and “what have you done to this place” in the Commons following the vote.
