Owen Paterson, the Tory MP at the centre of a corruption probe, has resigned.
Paterson was found guilty by a Commons Standards Committee of having inappropriately taken money from two private companies to lobby on their behalf. Despite the finding he was initially backed by the majoity of Tories, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
But a public backlash caused the government to do a U-turn, and Paterson announced his resignation today, after consulting with his children. Paterson’s wife Rose committed suicide in 2020, which Paterson believes was in part caused by the corruption probe.
In a statement published today on Twitter, the MP maintained his innocence and vowed to keep working as a public servant, but outside the ‘cruel world of politics.’
My statement today: pic.twitter.com/gZocV3WIwS
— Owen Paterson (@OwenPaterson) November 4, 2021
