Owen Paterson sues the government

Owen Paterson – there's a name Mr S hasn't heard in a while. It was just over a year ago that the former Environment Secretary became embroiled in the infamous lobbying scandal which led to his resignation, the North Shropshire by-election and the beginning of the end of Boris Johnson. But now, after a year in political obscurity, Paterson is back and with a vengeance.

The former Tory MP has now launched a case against, er, Rishi Sunak's government at the European Court of Human Rights, complaining about the House of Commons process which found against him. Paterson argues that his right to privacy under the European Convention of Human Rights was infringed as the public finding that he had breached the Code of Conduct 'damaged his good reputation'.

He also contends that the 'process by which the allegations against him were investigated and considered was not fair in many basic respects.' The case has been 'communicated' to the government by the court, giving Paterson's erstwhile colleagues an opportunity to respond.

An ironic series of events, given Paterson's long-time campaign to 'set the UK free from the ECHR.'