Speaker who resigned over MPs’ expenses dies aged 72
MICHAEL Martin, who was Speaker of the Commons during the MPs’ expenses scandal, has died aged 72.
The Glaswegian, nicknamed ‘Gorbals Mick’, became the first Speaker forced to resign in three centuries over his handling of the crisis.
The ex-Labour MP had faced criticism for leading efforts to block the publication of MPs’ expenses – and was replaced in 2009 by John Bercow.
Controversially, the former Speaker was elevated to the Upper House later that year as Lord Martin of Springburn.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday offered his condolences, saying he was ‘very sorry’ to hear the news of Lord Martin’s death.
Mr Bercow said: ‘Michael was a decent, public-spirited man who had a real care and concern for members, their staff and the staff of the House.
‘He was a good campaigner and both passionate about and proud of his roots. He also had a great sense of humour.’
Former Labour PM Gordon Brown said Lord Martin would be ‘sorely missed’, adding that he ‘never forgot the debt he owed to his upbringing and the people he had been elected to serve’.
The former sheet metal worker was first elected as the MP for Glasgow Springburn in 1979. In 2000 he took over as Speaker after the retirement of Betty Boothroyd. Lord Martin is survived by his wife Mary and children Paul and Mary Ann. Yesterday his son said he had died peacefully with his family in the early hours after a short illness.