Boris Johnson said he was "very sad" at Owen Paterson's decision to quit as an MP.
The senior Tory's resignation on Thursday came after the PM U-turned to allow a fresh vote on the former minister’s suspension for an alleged breach of lobbying rules.
The Prime Minister praised the outgoing MP’s “distinguished career”, during which he was a “powerful champion of Brexit”.
Her said: “I am very sad that Parliament will lose the services of Owen Paterson who has been a friend and colleague of mine for decades.
“He has had a distinguished career, serving in two Cabinet positions, and above all he has been a voice for freedom – for free markets and free trade and free societies – and he was an early and powerful champion of Brexit.
“I know that this must have been a very difficult decision but I can understand why – after the tragic circumstances in which he lost his beloved wife Rose – he has decided to put his family first."
Mr Paterson resigned after the PM was forced into a retreat after preventing his immediate suspension by launching a review of the entire disciplinary system.
Mr Johnson had supported an attempt by Mr Paterson’s allies to review the sanction until opposition parties refused to take part in a “corrupt” Tory-led committee tasked with the review.
The Government whips were working to reschedule a vote on a six-week suspension for Mr Paterson after he was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.
But rather than face what looked like a likely defeat, Mr Paterson said he had made the “painful decision” to resign as the MP for North Shropshire, triggering a by-election after a high-profile sleaze row.
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