Now MPs block probe into Bercow bullying claims
MPs sparked fury last night after voting to block an inquiry into John Bercow’s conduct.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Hudson, had asked for permission to investigate allegations of bullying against the Commons Speaker.
But the Commons committee on standards voted to reject her plea, because the claims against him are more than seven years old.
Members of the public who sit on the committee were barred from voting under Commons rules.
Last night, one senior MP said: ‘The standards committee has let everyone down badly.’
The Speaker had faced calls to quit after his former private secretary accused him of foul-mouthed tirades and attempts at physical intimidation. Angus Sinclair said he was forced into early retirement in 2010 with an £86,250 pay-off on condition he did not make any complaints. Mr Bercow has strenuously denied the claims.
David Leakey, who retired in 2017 from the parliamentary role of Black Rod, claimed people were ‘terrified’ of Mr Bercow and that he was ‘unworthy’ of public office.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen referred Mr Sinclair’s case to the Commissioner for Standards. The MPs’ code of conduct states that they must ‘never undertake any action which would bring the House of Commons, or its members generally, into disrepute’.
The standards committee – led by Labour MP Kevin Barron and consisting of seven MPs and seven lay members – voted unanimously that there were grounds for an investigation.
But they voted three to two to block the probe. Commons rules say the committee would expect to authorise inquiries on matters more than seven years old ‘only in exceptional circumstances’.
In 2009, Mr Bercow promised not to stay on as Speaker for more than nine years – a deadline he will reach on June 22. But friends have said he will ‘keep buggering on’.
Last night Mr Bridgen said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the committee’s decision, which he said ‘will only diminish the reputation of MPs and Parliament further’.
James Duddridge, a former Tory minister, said: ‘It brings shame on the House. In any other walk of life we would not accept this … His position is totally untenable.’