Mr Paterson, a former Cabinet minister who was MP for North Shropshire, was found to have broken lobbying rules by Ms Stone, who said he repeatedly lobbied on behalf of Randox and Lynn’s Country Foods, two companies for which he was acting as a paid consultant.

He claimed the investigation was unfairly conducted and argued that the manner in which it was carried out had played a “major role” in the suicide of his wife.

The Commons was asked to approve a 30-day suspension from the House, which had been recommended by the committee on standards, but the Government attempted to stave off his punishment through a Tory amendment calling for a review of the case.

The amendment, tabled by Andrea Leadsom, also proposed the creation of a Conservative majority committee to examine the standards system more widely.

It sparked an angry backlash from backbench Tory critics and only passed with a majority of 18, with the Government later making a U-turn on the plans and Mr Paterson resigning.

But concerns persisted that changed to the system were needed, leading to the review by Sir Ernest.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, chair of the Committee on Standards, said on Friday: “I welcome Sir Ernest Ryder’s thorough review into the standards system and thank him for the work he has done.

“The committee remains committed to reviewing and further improving our processes, and I am now looking forward to the consultation process on his proposals and being able to put a package of reforms to the House in order to change our standards system for the better.”

The committee will consult on the changes until March 28, with the final decision then voted on by MPs.