Tories engulfed in sleaze crisis after U-turn and Owen Paterson resignation

Conservative MPs react with fury at own goal' after PM ditches bid to shield former minister from lobbying claims

Boris Johnson was engulfed in a sleaze crisis last night following a humiliating government U-turn that saw veteran Tory MP Owen Paterson resign from parliament after Downing Street ditched a bid to shield him from lobbying claims.

Tory MPs reacted with fury after Johnson withdrew his backing from Paterson, less than 24 hours after ordering them to support a controversial amendment tearing up House of Commons anti-sleaze rules to protect him.