MP for Redditch, Rachel Maclean has been accused of choosing ‘corruption over conscience’ after voting for a review of standards investigations before a government U turn.

Former MP, Owen Paterson was found to have lobbied on behalf of two companies which had paid him more than £100,000 a year – Randox, and Lynn’s Country Foods.

Ms Maclean supported a vote in Parliament on November 3 to establish a new, Conservative-led, committee to reconsider both Mr Paterson’s case and whether a new standards system is needed.

However, shortly after, due to mounting pressure, the government backtracked and promised a new vote on Mr Paterson’s suspension.

The former North Shropshire MP then resigned anyway.

A spokesperson for Redditch Labour party said they were disappointed with how the town’s MP voted.

They said: “Rachel Maclean MP has chosen to abandon any shred of integrity in order to back this amendment.

“It is clear that this is a thinly veiled attempt by the Conservative Party to protect Owen Paterson and a raft of fellow misbehaving MPs.

“We are saddened and disappointed that our representative for Redditch chooses corruption over conscience.”

Mark Tomes, chair of Redditch & Inkberrow Liberal Democrats said local constituents deserve better.

“It is shameful that our local Conservative MP voted to water down rules aimed at preventing political sleaze,” said Mark.

“Local constituents deserve better than this stitch up that is dragging our politics through the mud.

“We’ve already seen this government wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money, from dodgy Covid contracts to the refurbishment of Boris Johnson's flat.

“Tough rules and independent scrutiny are vital to prevent yet more sleaze scandals that end up with more public money being wasted."

Rachel Maclean’s office have not yet responded to The Advertiser’s request for comment.