‘A fish rots from the head down’ is a fitting phrase in relation to the latest Tory sleaze saga.

Behind Boris Johnson’s showman image is a liar who becomes vague when cornered.

The PM was vague over who originally funded his Downing Street flat revamp and vague who paid for a Caribbean holiday.

He refused to comment on his relationship with US tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri who received £100K in grants when he was Mayor of London.

Taking his lead from Number 10, Tory MP Owen Paterson cashed in as people lost loved ones during the pandemic.

On top of his MP’s salary, Paterson took home £8,333 per month as a consultant for Randox Laboratories and improperly lobbied ministers. Randox won a £133m Government contract to manufacture Covid tests.

Johnson then instructed his MPs to block Paterson’s Commons suspension, trashing the system designed to uphold standards in public life.

It was corruption, pure and simple. The furore triggered a U-turn and Paterson’s resignation.

Cronyism concerns have been raised more generally over VIP fast lanes for companies referred by ministers and MPs that bid to supply personal protective equipment in Government contracts worth £12.5bn.

Usual competitive tendering rules were put on hold because of the Covid emergency.

One deal involved 50 million face masks supplied by Ayanda Capital that cannot be used in the NHS because of concerns over their fit.

Then we hear about Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Cox, the ex-attorney general, who made almost £900,000 in the last year as a barrister.

Records suggest he appeared in a corruption inquiry on behalf of the British Virgin Islands Government on 11 separate days as the Commons sat this year.

To see Tory MPs raking in cash doing second jobs and consultancy and, in some cases, as paid advocates - which is banned - makes my blood boil.

You know, I love my role as an MP but I am also well paid for what I do. My focus is to get the very best for my constituents.

Last week I received a reply on behalf of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, refusing to tackle accessibility issues at Northwich Station that impact on disabled rail users.

Tell you what, I’d like a VIP fast lane for investment in that station and disabled people in my constituency. Northwich has waited long enough.