A Conservative MP has vowed to clear his name after he was found to have misused his political position to benefit two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.

Owen Paterson has avoided punishment for now as the Government ordered its MPs to back an overhaul of the disciplinary process and prevent his immediate suspension.

The former Cabinet minister said ‘after two years of hell, I now have the opportunity to clear my name’ as he escaped suspension from the Commons for 30 days – and a possible by-election.

The House voted 250 to 232 for the shake-up, which was met with cries of ‘shame’ from opposition benches.

The Standards Commission ruled that the North Shropshire MP has broken rules around lobbying for two companies – Randox and Lynn’s Country Foods – which he gets a hefty paycheck from.

Mr Paterson angrily denied the allegations against him and insisted the process of the investigation was ‘unfair’.

He added: ‘The process I was subjected to did not comply with natural justice.

‘No proper investigation was undertaken by the commissioner or committee.

‘The Standards Commissioner has admitted making up her mind before speaking to me or any witnesses.

‘All I have ever asked is to have the opportunity to make my case through a fair process.

‘The decision today in Parliament means that I will now have that opportunity.

‘After two years of hell, I now have the opportunity to clear my name.

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