Bid to sack Bercow for ‘harassment’
JOHN Bercow is expected to face a motion of no confidence from MPs today following claims of him bullying Parliamentary staff.
Tory opponents of the Com- mons Speaker were last night discussing a fresh attempt to force him out of office.
Andrew Bridgen, a Tory backbencher and long-standing critic of Mr Bercow, said either he or a colleague would table an Early Day Motion to try to begin the process. While such motions are rarely debated, they can gain momentum if backed by enough signatures.
Mr Bridgen said: “I am now calling here and now for John Bercow to stand down as Speaker. Westminster has been rocked by scandals recently – sexminster – and now bullying and harassment. The need for a culture change is clear and obvious, indeed as pronounced by the Speaker himself in a recent address to the House.
“This will not happen while Mr Bercow remains in his position.”
Mr Bercow has denied claims made in a BBC Newsnight show that he bullied Kate Emms, his private secretary in 2010 and 2011.
Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman was yesterday reported to be considering bidding for the coveted role if a vacancy emerges.