Boris Johnson has been accused of a “coordinated smear campaign” against the Standards Commissioner who investigated the misconduct of disgraced former MP Owen Paterson.
Ian Blackford, the SNP Westminster leader, has called for a formal inquiry into how the Prime Minister attempted to undermine Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone.
The Prime Minister had to abandon an attempt to overturn a 30-day suspension of his Tory MP friend Owen Paterson, over paid lobbying on behalf of two private companies, by changing the whole disciplinary process for MPs.
Johnson whipped Tory MPs to support the plans but u-turned on the proposals in less than 24 hours when faced with a furious public backlash over Tory sleaze.
Blackford has called for an investigation into the “unacceptable attacks and conspiracy” against Stone after cabinet minister Kwasi Kwarteng suggested she should resign following the ruling against Paterson.
Stone has conducted three probes into Johnson’s activities in the past three years, and could conduct a fourth into the arrangements and payments of a luxury renovation of his Downing Street flat.
Blackford said: “Boris Johnson’s government is the sleaziest in decades and the Prime Minister is right at the centre of the Tory corruption and cronyism scandal that has engulfed Westminster.”
“The coordinated smear campaign by Tory ministers and officials against the Standards Commissioner has brought the UK government into disrepute and made the Prime Minister look like he’s running some sort of corrupt banana republic.”
Targeting the Standards Commissioner is an act of revenge and a botched attempt to bully, harass and neuter investigations into Boris Johnson’s personal misconduct in office.”
“This would be an act of corruption of the highest order by the most powerful person in the UK government and must be investigated fully.”
The SNP leader added: “Since coming to office, Boris Johnson has been embroiled in a litany of Tory sleaze scandals form breaking the ministerial code to soliciting dodgy donations for luxury holidays and home refurbishments."
"No one is above the law, including the Prime Minister, who must not seek to subvert independent investigations and processes.”
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