Zahawi concedes 'mistakes' were made in handling of Owen Paterson sleaze shambles

5 November 2021, 07:58 | Updated: 5 November 2021, 11:44

Nadhim Zahawi: PM has always been clear that paid lobbying is wrong'

By Daisy Stephens

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has told LBC that "mistakes" were made by the government after Owen Paterson was found to have broken lobbying rules by a standards committee.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

"The Prime Minister has always been clear that paid lobbying is wrong," the minister told Nick Ferrari at breakfast.

"I think the mistake - and I think it was quite right for the Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg, upon reflection, to return to the house yesterday and explain that - actually, the drive to try to create a better and fairer system with a right of appeal should not have been conflated with a specific case involving Owen Paterson, and that was the mistake and I think it's right, when you reflect, that you act quickly... and correct it."

Read more: Owen Paterson: Opposition parties may not run in by-election as fallout continues

Read more: Owen Paterson: Labour demands action over Kwarteng comments

Nick hit back by saying "whoever thought [linking the system overhaul to Mr Paterson's case] would work" needed to "consider another position", and asked Mr Zahawi if he agreed.

"I would respectfully disagree," said the Education Secretary.

"When reflecting that we shouldn't have conflated the two, Jacob Rees-Mogg came back to the house and said 'look, that was a mistake, let's correct this now'."

He appealed to MPs from all parties to "create a fairer system with a right of appeal", saying it was "the right thing to do".

Lord Gavin Barwell speaks to LBC about Owen Paterson

When asked by Nick who was to blame, Mr Zahawi said: "I take collective responsibility as a Government, and I think it's right that we say 'look, we made a mistake and we want to get this right', and of course the legislature ultimately has - I hope - a duty to create a better system that carries the confidence of the nation."

He also added that consideration was needed of the "human factor", saying: "We're all human beings, when you make a mistake I'd much rather have a Government and a Prime Minister and a Chief Whip who says 'hold on a second, let's go back because I think we've made a mistake here'.

"That makes me much more confident of the character of the people leading this country, than people who would have just ploughed on ahead regardless."

Read more: Tory Owen Paterson quits as MP hours after humiliating government U-turn on sleaze rules

Read more: 'Callous' Claudia Webbe gets suspended sentence after harassment conviction

When Nick put a recent YouGov poll to Mr Zahawi, which showed support for the Tories had fallen, the Education Secretary said the Government cannot be complacent in the face of perceptions of sleaze.

"I take from [the results of the poll] that we can't be complacent, that it was right to come back to Parliament and say we made a mistake," he said.

"I think actually people, listeners, participants in polls, will understand that it is only human when you know you've made a mistake to come back and say we made a mistake and we're going to correct it.

"And that we want a fairer system of appeals. They know that because it's right in other walks of life and other sectors of the economy.

"So I think it's the right thing to do, and of course, the really important poll would be the general election."

Edwina Currie reacts to Owen Paterson lobbying

Mr Paterson was found to have broken lobbying rules by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and a six-week suspension was recommended.

But MPs voted to instead have a review of the Parliamentary disciplinary system - a decision that they U-turned on after intense backlash from politicians, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who branded it "corruption" and deputy leader Angela Rayner who accused the Tories of "wallowing in sleaze".

Mr Paterson resigned shortly afterwards, describing the last two years as an "indescribable nightmare" and saying he wanted to leave the "cruel world of politics".

"I maintain that I am totally innocent of what I have been accused of and I acted at all times in the interests of public health and safety," he added.

Responding to the former MP's resignation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "very sad" and described Mr Paterson as a "friend and colleague of mine for decades".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Three prison officers rushed to hospital after Manchester Arena terrorist 'threw scalding oil and stabbed them'

Ministers order review into Manchester Arena terrorist's 'attack on prison guards' using 'oil and makeshift weapons'

Sumy

Russian strikes on Ukraine border town 'cross any line of decency', US says, after over 30 killed including children

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'

Body found in search for 11-year-old girl who went missing in the Thames

Sakhir, Bahrain. 13th April 2025. Sir Jackie Stewart During Race Day. Ahmad Al Shehab/Alamy Live News.

Jackie Stewart drives F1 car for last time wearing helmet signed by all living champions - including Michael Schumacher

Barry Dawson

Five men charged over death of 'much-loved' granddad shot through his front window

The Oxford Women's team appear dejected after losing The 79th CHANEL J12 Women's Boat Race on the River Thames, London. Picture date: Sunday April 13, 2025.

Cambridge beats Oxford by 'unprecedented' margin to win 170th Boat Race

Police crime scene tape UK

Woman, 25, killed and two others 'seriously injured' after 'drug driver' hits family outside leisure centre

Emergency services at the scene on John Street in Worksop, after a major incident has been declared and homes evacuated following an explosion at a terraced property in Nottinghamshire. Picture date: Sunday April 13, 2025.

One man confirmed dead following Nottinghamshire house explosion - as street remains cordoned off

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, bodies of the killed residents lie on the ground following Russia's missile attack that killed at least 24 civilians in Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

More than 30 killed - including two children, following Russian missile strike on Ukraine

Lucy Letby

Lucy Letby bombshell as new memo from sole medical witness threatens to blow prosecution's case wide open

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waves after making a putt on the 14th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Rory McIlroy looks to avoid Masters “rematch” with Bryson DeChambeau as golfer closes in on career grand slam

The house has been destroyed

Major incident declared after house destroyed in Nottinghamshire explosion, with neighbours evacuated

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke kicked off Celebrity Big Brother after 'unacceptable behaviour' and 'inappropriate language'

Hashem Abedi is being held at HMP Frankland

Counter-terror police investigate after Manchester Arena terrorist seriously injures prison officers

Shock as house destroyed in explosion in Nottinghamshire, with neighbours evacuated

Shock as house destroyed in explosion in Nottinghamshire, with neighbours evacuated

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher signs helmet for fans with help from wife, 12 years on from catastrophic brain injury