European court rejects ex-Tory MP Paterson’s human rights claim

According to the court’s ruling, he argued the probe suffered from a “procedural flaw” because there was no formal way for him to appeal the verdict afterwards.

He also said publication of the report had damaged his reputation, caused him financial loss by making it “impossible” for him to get another job, and led to him being “shunned by many people he had considered friends”.

His arguments were rejected by the UK government, which is one of 46 signatory countries bound by the court’s rulings.

Its lawyers argued the Commons investigation had been “fair, rigorous and thorough”, and that it was not the role for courts to regulate the “business of Parliament”, including how standards rules are upheld.

In its verdict, the court dismissed Mr Paterson’s claim, adding that the probe was justified by the need to uphold the “maintenance of public trust” in Parliament.

It also added there were “adequate safeguards” during the probe, including that Mr Paterson was able to respond to the allegations against him and gave oral evidence to the committee that recommended the sanction.